Retallick too good to ignore?
At a glance
The lock and loose forward units will attract the most attention when All Blacks coach Steve Hansen slams his World Cup selection cards on the table today.
Uncertainty around lock Brodie Retallick, who is still recovering from the dislocated shoulder he suffered against the Springboks on July 27, could have a significant ripple effect on the 31-man squad that travels to Japan next month.
Such is the value of 77-test lock Retallick, Hansen may be prepared to regard him as excess baggage for the pool games against South Africa, Canada, Namibia and Italy.
That, in turn, may allow the medical staff to focus solely on getting the towering lock fit for the quarterfinal – the opponent could be Ireland, Scotland or Japan – on October 19-20.
The easy solution will be to leave Retallick out of the squad. But that just wouldn’t do. The big rig has to go to Japan, surely.
If Hansen adopts the attitude that he and his fellow selectors Ian Foster and Grant Fox cannot afford to leave Retallick in New Zealand, they will have to scrap the template that worked so well in 2015, when they invited just three locks in Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Retallick to attend the World Cup in Britain. Possible All Blacks squad: Forwards: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Jackson Hemopo.
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-brown, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith.
Whitelock started all seven games, five of Retallick’s six appearances were in the run-on team and Romano got two caps in the pool fixtures.
But in the sudden-death phase it was loose forward Victor Vito – not Romano – who was used as back-up for the second rowers.
Hansen recently said he hadn’t discounted the idea of picking three locks to go to Japan, but was aware of the risks that could come with putting a bigger workload on the other candidates until Retallick returned to fitness.
It will be a gamble to do so, however. For many All Blacks fans the thought of a lock getting hurt in the opening minutes against South Africa, forcing a loose forward to fight for lineout ball against Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert, will be enough to make them feel light headed.
If the selectors follow South Africa and Australia’s lead and take a fourth lock, Patrick Tuipulotu could be rewarded for his impressive effort when he started in place of the suspended Scott Barrett during the 36-0 rout of the Wallabies this month.
That, in turn, could force the selectors to trim their quota of loose forwards to five, rather than six as they did in 2015.
Sacrificing a third halfback could create space in the back row department, but it’s more likely the trimming will take place among the flankers and No 8s.
Captain Kieran Read, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea are certainties to travel. Liam Squire is understood to have told Hansen he is available after asking not to be picked for the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup tests, and his return will add a physical presence at blindside flanker or No 8.
That leaves Matt Todd, Jackson Hemopo (who can also cover lock), Vaea Fifita and Luke Jacobson to be considered to fill the gap or gaps.
Selecting the backs is an easier task. It’s clear only two specialist No 10s in Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett will be required, although the latter is now tagged as a starting fullback.
Ngani Laumape and Braydon Ennor are likely to be surplus to requirements.
Laumape is likely to pay the price for being a specialist second five-eighth; only four midfielders are expected to be named, and he will be squeezed out by the experienced Ryan Crotty when he returns from a broken thumb.
Wing/centre Ennor will add to his single test cap in the future. But, barring a shock call-up, it’s unlikely to be in Japan.