ABs consider
YOU could envisage Steve Hansen doing a reasonable impersonation of a stock agent when mulling who to draft into his All Blacks flock ahead of the upcoming northern tour.
First five-eighth is a good a place to start when gluing a squad together and All Blacks coach Hansen, along with fellow selectors Ian Foster and Grant Fox, may elect to blood another specialist for the five-game tour that starts against the Barbarians in London on November 5.
With Aaron Cruden having departed New Zealand to play in France,Hansen has relied on Beauden Barrett to operate at playmaker, with Lima Sopoaga as his deputy.
Clearly fullback Damian McKenzie is marked to be a test first-five in the future, but given outside backs Ben Smith (sabbatical), Israel Dagg (knee injury) and Jordie Barrett (shoulder injury) are unavailable, the desire to rush him into a starter’s spot at No 10 may have to be tempered.
Hansen and his mates could do worse than ask Canterbury’s Richie Mo’unga whether he fancies a trip to England, France, Scotland and Wales. Mo’unga played a significant role in the Crusaders’ charge to the Super Rugby title and is backing-up for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup.
In addition to being an accurate goal kicker, the 23-year-old can direct the attack by standing flat to commit defenders, and he is a fearless tackler.
Mo’unga is also tough, something Hansen may want to note. It pays to remember that when Mo’unga broke a bone in his hand in the Crusaders’ opening match against the Brumbies this year, he didn’t complain until the medical staff asked the players to report any injuries after the game.
First-five is just one position that may be under review.
When the All Blacks played Ireland in Chicago and Dublin, Italy in Rome and France in Paris late last year, they put 36 players on the field. Of that number up to 12 will be missing when they