All Blacks fronting up well
Through the historic defeats, disappointing performances and inevitable blame game, something decidedly special has been going on with the All Blacks in 2022.
It might have flown a little under the radar, but Ian Foster has presided over an important refresh and rejuvenation of the front row that has far-reaching implications.
It had to happen, with the New Zealanders in danger of being left behind by their improving rivals, but that the at-times beleaguered head coach has managed to preside over the necessary regeneration up front while dealing with a rollercoaster ride of performances has been arguably the most notable aspect of an at-times tumultuous journey in 2022.
Yes, the All Blacks head into Thursday’s Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship test against the Wallabies in Melbourne with an unflattering 3-4 record for the year, and, yes, they’ve been making history for all the wrong reasons through a campaign that’s had more misses than hits.
But through the devastating defeats – to Ireland (twice), South Africa and Argentina – and some intense finger-pointing, Foster has had an almost total rebuild of his front row. Senior loosehead prop Joe Moody is out injured, Karl Tu’inukuafe has been jettisoned and established tightheads Nepo
Laulala and Ofa Tuungafasi have been pushed back in the rankings.
In their stead young comers Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax and Fletcher Newell have been promoted into the main rotation, and George Bower has been reconfigured in an impact role that suits him to a tee.
There has been a changing of the guard at hooker, too, with old pros Dane Coles and Codie Taylor now battling over the backup job, and 25-year-old Chiefs powerhouse Samisoni Taukei’aho maturing into a world-class starting No 2. If Coles redefined the role in his heyday with his speed, width and skill package, in many ways Taukei’aho is winding the clock back with a return to the more traditional virtues of the middle front-row pillar.
‘‘We’re trying to develop an 80-minute front row,’’ Foster told Stuff of his refresh.
New forwards coach Jason Ryan has been crucial in the process. He knows Newell, Bower and Taylor well from the Crusaders, and has quickly developed a rapport with the wider group. There is no doubt that the All Blacks forwards in general, and front-rowers in particular, have taken a significant stride since he came on board.
‘‘It’s going well. We’ve made some good shifts in areas where we knew we needed to,’’ said Ryan of the set-piece platform in the wake of the statement 53-3 victory over Argentina in Hamilton. ‘‘There’s some real competition now too. The props in particular have been outstanding. We were quite courageous in our selections in South Africa and all the boys are fronting up and it’s put some real pressure on.’’
In terms of his young front row’s progression, Ryan felt they had risen to the challenge admirably.
Taukei’aho has arguably been the find of the year for the All Blacks. He’s providing the allimportant go-forward in the closein channels, is nailing his set piece, tackles well and brings an important physical element.
‘‘He’s really improved in his scrummaging which was his weakness coming into this season,’’ noted Foster. ‘‘Some good work from Greg Feek has got him to that point. But he’s like a kid in the backyard – he just wants to get his hands on the ball and run at things, and does it pretty well.’’
Adds Ryan: ‘‘Soni is going well because he’s got very experienced hookers helping him, and that competition is making guys thrive in the environment and challenge each other. Soni is playing some good rugby and we’re keeping him grounded and working hard, so he doesn’t get ahead of himself.’’