Backs Naholo, Laumape get ABS call-up
Lions tour form is the right form for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who has elevated Waisake Naholo and Ngani Laumape into his second test lineup with a series victory beckoning.
After producing one of the individual performances of the tour in the Highlanders’ 23-22 win in Dunedin, Naholo earns his 13th test appearance and first of the year on the right wing for Saturday’s second test against the British and Irish Lions in Wellington.
Laumape could hardly be ignored, either, after the blockbusting midfielder’s role in the Hurricanes’ 31-31 draw at Westpac Stadium on Tuesday. A potential test debut off the bench looms four days later, on his home ground.
The dynamic duo are the two new faces in the All Blacks’ 23 from the side who beat the Lions 30-15 in Auckland. Both callups are injury-related, with fullback Ben Smith (concussion) and centre Ryan Crotty (hamstring) ruled out.
In a back three reshuffle, Israel Dagg shifts from wing to fullback while the impressive Rieko Ioane retains his No 11 jersey ahead of the former incumbent, Julian Savea, after scoring a fleet-footed double on Eden Park.
Dagg was the obvious replacement for Smith at the back with his experience there, and strong all-round performance in the first test. He and Naholo wore 15 and 14 in the year-ending test against France in Paris last November, while Ioane came off the bench for Crotty in that 24-19 win.
Crotty’s absence means an elevation for Anton Lienert-brown to start at centre and reprise his combination with Sonny Bill Williams, with Laumape to storm off the bench if required.
The 24-year-old former Palmerston North Boys’ High School first XV star completes a dream return to rugby after ending his stint with the Warriors National Rugby League team in 2015.
Laumape had an indifferent first season back in the 15-man code but hit stride in 2017, causing headaches for many a defensive line with his power and direct running. Laumape and Hurricanes midfield partner Vince Aso remain the competition’s joint leading tryscorers with 14 apiece.
‘‘Whilst it’s disappointing to lose both Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty, it creates an opportunity for others. Izzy [Dagg] is a worldclass back three player, as is Anton in the midfield, and both Waisake and Ngani are coming into the test side following outstanding performances against the Lions for their respective Super franchises,’’ Hansen said.
Laumape’s elevation means still no place for his versatile Hurricanes team-mate Jordie Barrett alongside brothers Beauden and Scott in the All Blacks 23. The younger Barrett again showed his class on Tuesday, shifting from fullback to first five-eighth, and his absence means brother Beauden will revert to fullback if required on Saturday as he did in Auckland when Smith departed and Aaron Cruden went on at first-five.
Hansen kept faith with the same forward pack who dominated the Lions in contact, with captain Kieran Read, flanker Sam Cane and lock Brodie Retallick three of their standouts.
Hansen was keen to talk up the Lions, after some verbal sparring with their coach Warren Gatland this week. He said the first test win was only a start, and the All Blacks needed to lift again to clinch the series with a test to spare.
‘‘We’re aware the British and Irish Lions have their backs to the wall and will chuck everything at us to keep themselves alive in the series. They are a quality side who we respect immensely,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘In reality, last week’s test could’ve gone either way had they taken more of their chances. Our job will be to make sure that we shut down their counter-attack better than we did last weekend.’’