Could All Blacks use co-captains?
SAM Whitelock could be given a little help with the All Blacks captaincy when Steve Hansen unveils his squad to face the French this morning.
Although Whitelock is the logical successor to Kieran Read post-2019 in the national setup, it would fit with the way the All Blacks do things if the lock was announced as co-captain alongside Ben Smith in the chosen 33 for June.
Read is sitting June out as he continues a rehab of his back post-surgery. He has tagged a July return.
It’s not that the All Blacks brains trust don’t think Whitelock can do the job – far from it, they are hugely impressed with the role he’s performing for the Crusaders – but more they would prefer to ease him into the task.
With Read due back sooner rather than later, the thinking might be it makes no sense to over-burden Whitelock in a demanding home series when they can just as easily split the load two ways, and still groom him for his eventual promotion.
Having co-captains would just be an extension of how the All Blacks operate anyway. And it has worked well for both the Highlanders (also featuring fullback Smith) and Chiefs at Super Rugby level.
Of course Whitelock, Smith, or even third option Sam Cane, could handle the job solo. They might even thrive under the added pressure. But why? This is a temporary fix, so why not experiment a little?
Smith, one of the world’s best and most consistent performers, has certainly earned a promotion of this nature, and having a co-captain in the forwards retains the leadership voice up front, where it is needed in the test arena.
Whitelock and Brodie Retallick form the best secondrow combination in world rugby and Cane is maturing into the No 7 he was always tagged to be – on top of his game, in peak condition and owning the role.
Some much tougher decisions confronted the selectors in the loose forwards, midfield and back three ahead of today’s announcement.
In the loose mix, don’t be surprised if they don’t run with three specialist No 7s. That could mean Matt Todd misses this squad, though remains very much in their thoughts. Ardie Savea, remember, covers No 8.
With Read out, there is a glaring need to develop a new wave of loose forwards and young Highlander Shannon Frizell is a player the national selectors are intrigued by. They love his size, athleticism and potential, and this could be their chance to take a close-up look.
Blues No 8 Akira Ioane is another interesting one, with a ton of upside. But he still has a lot to work on to merit a test start, so it may be he’s included more in a development capacity for this series.
That might leave room for a specialist No 8 option such as Luke Whitelock or Jordan Taufua alongside a temporary fix in Liam Squire.
Vaea Fifita’s shoulder injury is also a potential major in terms of the balance of the squad. It’s likely the big Hurricane was GETTY IMAGES being looked at as a blindside and fourth lock cover, and if he was a defection it would force a major rethink.
Midfield is awash with candidates, and it could be they squeeze five in, and avoid having to cull one of Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue.
That might require just two halfbacks. It’s an option, given the lack of an obvious third No 9.
The back three is even deeper with contenders. But there are four certainties, and a fifth very strong case in Nehe MilnerSkudder.
There is genuine interest in Ben Lam, but he may have to be patient. Right now he’s third power wing on their depth chart, and they only need two. Crusaders wing/fullback George Bridge is also very close.
The hooker situation is complicated by the need to cover for an expected maternity leave for Nathan Harris. Again, maybe two are named, with a designated replacement hovering.
All will be revealed at 9.30am today in Auckland.