Role reversal for All Blacks hookers
It’s a stretch to say Codie Taylor was ever in awe of Dane Coles.
But, four years Coles’ junior, Taylor grew up just a short drive from his fellow hooker, both cutting their rugby teeth with the small HorowhenuaKapiti union. Coles was a player who inspired respect within Taylor and someone he was eager to learn from when they eventually became All Blacks team-mates in 2015.
At that stage, Coles was establishing himself as one of the better allround players in world rugby. In more recent times, though, it’s Taylor who’s spent the bulk of the time in the All Blacks’ No 2 jersey.
Coles’ injury problems since 2016 are well-documented, as is Taylor’s progression from a promising to polished performer.
Saturday, against Australia in Yokohama, is likely to mark Coles’ first All Blacks’ action since November last year, when he ruptured knee ligaments against France in Paris. He remains a member of the team’s senior leadership group and has been around the squad all year, but there’s a difference between what happens in meeting rooms or on the training paddock.
The All Blacks are a team in the process of evolving their game, which means changes for the relationship between Taylor and Coles too.
Gone, therefore, are the days when the boy from the Levin took his cues from the senior pro from down in Paraparaumu.
‘‘I came into the [All Blacks’] mix in 2015 and he has always been unreal to me,’’ Taylor said of Coles yesterday.
‘‘I was just a sponge and took as much knowledge as I could from him and Kevvy [Keven Mealamu] and stuff. I suppose with him being out for the amount of time he has, the role may have changed a little, just because we’ve tried to change our game a little bit in the All Blacks and he wants to learn all that.
‘‘It’s a great chance for me to give that back to him and, when he gets his chance, he’ll be ready to go.’’
You’d assume Taylor will start against the Wallabies, with perhaps a 20-minute role for Coles off the bench. That appears as if it will be the order of things until Coles can prove he’s durable and sharp enough to warrant a starting berth.
First, though, the 31-year-old has got to try and get through this tour.