Hansen’s message for Fifita: build self-belief
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen wants Vaea Fifita to apply the jumper leads to his confidence levels by getting regular starts at No 6 for Wellington.
Fifita was a notable omission from the 33-man All Blacks squad named for the Rugby Championship yesterday, with the selectors opting to include Liam Squire, Jackson Hemopo and Luke Whitelock as men who can operate at blindside flanker.
Although Hansen suggested the athletic Fifita, who has made seven test appearances for the All Blacks since his debut against Samoa in Auckland a year ago, remained a genuine option ahead of the tour of Japan and Europe later in the year, he said the Hurricanes forward needed to build his self-belief by playing in the Mitre 10 Cup.
For starters, Hansen reckons Fifita, who was used at lock for the Hurricanes, is better suited at No 6.
Fifita also suffered a head knock in the second test against Wellington in June, and was unavailable for the third and final match of the series.
Asked if the concussion had affected Fifita’s confidence, Hansen said that could be an issue.
‘‘A bit of that, I think. I am not 100 per cent sure of what all of it is,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘By not picking him we have probably not helped that but in the long-term I think it will. We have had a good discussion this morning, and we will have another one with him later in the week.’’
The
Hurricanes elected to use
Fifita at lock, but Hansen believes he’s better suited to operating on the side of the scrum.
‘‘He is playing out of position so to speak,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘If you play all your life [at lock] and then someone says ‘right, play at six’ at an even higher level than you have been playing at, it is difficult.’’
Wellington coach Chris Gibbes has agreed to play Fifita at No 6 in the domestic competition. That should take the pressure off Fifita to allow him to work on his skill-set in that role.
A big specimen who can flummox tacklers with his long stride and speed, Fifita clearly needs to get back to top form to convince the selectors he should be persevered with. The danger for the 26-year-old is that he will be squeezed out of the loose forward mix.
Another athletic back rower, Akira Ioane, also missed the cut for the Rugby Championship. While that was not unexpected, it must be remembered the selectors showed him some love by asking them to join the All Blacks during the French series for his development at international level.
Now Ioane, like Fifita, has been told to return to the Mitre 10 Cup to work on his game.
Another big talking point was the inclusion of Hemopo, who was only called in for the third test against France because of the injury to Fifita. He impressed in his debut and is now in the frame for the World Cup next year.
Hemopo played 16 games at lock – starting 14 – for the Highlanders, but will be asked to change positions for the All Blacks. He has impressed Hansen with his tenacity, ball carrying and aggressive attitude.