Burning questions, coolly answered

With Richie Mo’unga listed at No 10, should Damian Mckenzie be anxious about where he fits into the All Blacks selectors’ long-term plan?

Richard Knowler: There’s no need for Mckenzie to have heart palpitations just yet. If Beauden Barrett flopped over prior to the test against the Springboks next weekend, Mckenzie would probably be the starting No 10. Mo’unga is more likely being groomed as the third playmaker option for the 2019 World Cup.

Hamish Bidwell: No, his pace and eye for a gap and utility value mean he’s a must in the 23 each week. It’s hard to see why, if Beauden Barrett and Mckenzie stay fit, Mo’unga would feature again this year beyond the Japan and Italy games. If Mo’unga’s good enough, then post-2019 will be his time.

Robert van Royen: As long as he doesn’t mind coming off the bench, no. He should take comfort in Hansen and co being infatuated with players who can play multiple positions.

Which selection in the All Blacks’ match-day 23 pleases you most?

RK: Ben Smith at fullback. His best position as far as I’m concerned. Leave him there, and pick the wing options around him.

HB: I’m glad they didn’t pick Crotty or Cane. What a sideshow that could’ve turned into. I’m happy to be getting a look at Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell.

RVR: Has to be Richie Mo’unga being entrusted to pull on the No 10 jersey. The 24-yearold sets lofty standards, although it should be pointed out he hasn’t played since the Super Rugby final more than a month ago. You get the feeling he’s going to have to show zilch rust, score five tries and kick 100 per cent off the tee to please the keyboard warriors.

Should Nehe Milnerskudder feel under pressure to play a blinder to prove his selection is not based on past glories?

RK: Pretty much. We know the selectors like him because his good footwork offers a difference to the big power runners, but the bottom line is he needs to repay the selectors for their faith. If he goes gangbusters at Trafalgar Park, he takes the heat off.

HB: He should just be glad to get a game, after missing all of 2016 and most of last year. He’s had a wretched injury run and seen fullbacks, such as Ben Smith, become regulars on the wing and other wings such as Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo fully emerge. He needs to do the basics well and stay in one piece.

RVR: Absolutely. It’s three years since Milner-skudder was regularly making fools of defenders with his quick feet at the top level. He’s running out of time, particularly with the likes of George Bridge and Solomon Alaimalo making their own cases.

Ngani Laumape, invited into the squad as injury cover, is preferred ahead of Anton Lienert-brown in the midfield – again. Odd selection or fair play?

RK: I like it, given his display against the Wallabies at Eden Park. What will interest me even more is how he will fit into the picture when the squad to tour Japan and Europe is picked later in the year.

HB: Absolutely fair play. Laumape is a better starting option at 12 than Lienert-brown. Just as Lienert-brown offers better utility value off the bench than Laumape does. That’s an easy one, for mine.

RVR: Fair play, although you have to wonder if Hansen would have rolled with Anton Lienertbrown if he hadn’t made so many other changes.

Pretend you are the Pumas coaches. What’s your game plan to clobber the All Blacks?

RK: Tell the big Argie forwards to tie up the ABS halfbacks by running at them; they need to do everything they can to slow the New Zealanders’ ball. Then commit Mo’unga to tackles – anything to keep the playmaker occupied.

HB: Kick, tackle, dominate the scrums and lineouts and hope young Mo’unga gets the wobbles. Without significant backline game-drivers such as Beauden Barrett, Crotty and Aaron Smith on deck this week, there’s the potential for some indecision and uncertainty. If the Pumas play at the right end of the park, pick up a few points and don’t make the kinds of errors the All Blacks launch counter-attacks from, then they’ll stand a chance.

RVR: In short, don’t do what the Wallabies did. Trust the set piece, be prepared to roll up the sleeves and go multiple phases, and take it to them around the fringes, an area the Pumas have had success at in recent years.