ABs roll out top XV for Samoa
ONE week out from the opening Lions test, Samoa can expect to face a near full-strength All Blacks team this Friday at Eden Park, with halfback Aaron Smith among those in the box seat to get the nod.
The All Blacks know better than anyone their tendency to be rusty in the first outing each year.
So while a desire to rest or protect key players who endured heavy workloads during Super Rugby probably exists, the need to get everyone up to speed takes precedence.
The All Blacks starting backline is likely to feature players from all five Super Rugby teams and several starting spots will be closely contested, none more than at No 9.
TJ Perenara surpassed Aaron Smith last year, starting the final test of the season in Paris. Perenara has since been in exceptional touch with the Hurricanes.
After his well-documented struggles last year, Smith is yet to regain the form that saw him regarded as one of the world’s most influential players.
That said, the All Blacks have always favoured the value Smith’s speed and length of pass offers their up-tempo game plan. And there is nothing to suggest that has drastically altered.
If Smith gets the nod based on his pass and box kick accuracy, the acid will be put even more so on the All Blacks pack to set a desired platform and deliver quick ruck ball. Perenara’s superior defensive qualities make him the better option if front-foot ascendancy cannot be achieved.
Elsewhere, interest will centre on who the All Blacks start at No 8 against Samoa. Captain Kieran Read and Highlanders loose forward Liam Squire both remain sidelined with broken thumbs, stripping Steve Hansen of two No 8s. Read is expected to go into the first Lions test cold while Squire is more likely to be fit for the second in Wellington.
Jerome Kaino and Ardie Savea seem the likely candidates. Kaino will make his return from minor knee surgery, having been out for the past six weeks. The All Blacks may be keen to slot him into his favoured blindside role immediately and instead give Savea the chance to start at eight. Hurricanes lock/loose forward Vaea Fifita, called in as injury cover, is another option. Ryan Crotty’s rib cartilage damage rules him out, though for how long remains unclear at this point. His absence paves the way for Sonny Bill Williams and Anton LienertBrown, both of whom produced their best performances of the season in their last respective outings for the Blues and Chiefs, to team up in the midfield for the first time.
Hansen has shown a tendency to ease young players into the test arena via the bench, shielding them somewhat from expectations. That approach is likely to continue with the likes of rookie Hurricanes second fiveeighth Ngani Laumape and fullback Jordie Barrett.
Rieko Ioane must be putting genuine heat on Julian Savea for the left wing role. As he has been all year, Ioane was electric in the Blues’ victory over the Lions on Wednesday. While he will be released to play for New Zealand Maori, Ioane will probably be favoured ahead of Waisake Naholo as a bench option for the Lions.
Dane Coles’ on-going concussion battles open the door for Codie Taylor to step up at hooker. Chiefs rake Nathan Harris can’t be far behind, with Liam Coltman offering back-up.