What to watch for in the June test window

Often disappointing, the tests will offer important pointers, reports Marc Hinton.

THERE is so little to recommend the June test window, wedged into the Super Rugby programme as it is, often a bridge too far for the bedraggled visitors at the end of their long season and inevitably showcasing the maxim that rust never sleeps, even in the All Blacks.

Certainly it’s not difficult to make the claim that three tests against a weary, weakened French outfit in June rather pales into into insignificance when you examine the rest of the All Blacks’ year.

But these are the All Blacks. And even against a French outfit they’ve beaten 11 straight and in 18 of their last 20 meetings, there is plenty to relish. So here are the five big challenges facing the All Blacks in June:

FIGURE OUT NO 8 PLAN B

Look, no-one knows for sure how well Kieran Read is going to rebound from that back surgery. Steve Hansen would love to get two more big campaigns out of his inspirational skipper, but he’d settle for one (2019) at a pinch.

What we do know is that Read is not there for June, so the All Blacks get a chance to unfurl the backup plan, take a glimpse at the future and formulate a fair idea if indeed there is life after Kieran.

Who gets the chance remains to be seen, but there are plenty of options. Liam Squire could shift there, if he can get fit, and Ardie Savea has some value as an ingame option. Whatever specialist they go with (Luke Whitelock or Jordan Taufua, most likely) should also get a crack, and Akira Ioane remains a prospect in the longer term.

All going well Read will be back in plenty of time to tilt for a third straight global crown next year, but, just in case, an important process starts now.

BEDDING IN THE NEWBIES

As always in the All Blacks there’s fresh, young talent coming through, either ready to unleash on the global stage (a la Rieko Ioane in 2017) or at least keep established senior figures honest while they nip at their heels.

Backline tyros Ioane, Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie all made the most of their chances in 2017 and will look to take further steps down the pathway in June. Same with the likes of Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Nepo Laulala (if fit), Scott Barrett and Ofa Tu’ungafasi up front.

No doubt Hansen will have one or two fresh faces to throw into the mix in 2018 (Shannon Frizell, anyone?), and it’s likely Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue and one or two others will get fleeting chances in backup roles.

This series could be an ideal chance to try a thing or two, with the pressure valve released. Especially if the French are as fragile as we suspect they could be.

BUILDING DEPTH

In Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara the ABs have two world-class No 9s who just happen to have quite different skillsets. Their bases are well and truly covered while those two fiery customers remain fit and healthy.

But beyond the big two it’s anybody’s game and Hansen is conscious of the need to cultivate a third option. Quite who it is remains a work in progress, but one they will continue with through this series.

It’s a similar story at hooker where injury has removed Dane Coles and youngster Asafo Aumua from contention for the time being. There are two quality options in Codie Taylor and Nathan Harris, but beyond that there is some work to do. Liam Coltman and others must stay ready.

ON A WING, AND A PRAYER

What is Steve Hansen’s best back three? Almost certainly twothirds of it includes the names Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane. But just who completes the trio might be something we are much, er, wiser about come the end of the June series.

Some suggest physical phenom Jordie Barrett should be unleashed now at fullback, meaning Smith moves to the right wing. Others say Waisake (Wise) Naholo did nothing wrong last November, and deserves to start as the incumbent No 14.

And then you have the subtle, complementary skill package of Nehe Milner-Skudder. No shortage of options. And all have merit.

REFINING THE A-GAME

As always, the All Blacks will look to reshape, rethink and rejig their tactical approach, even while shaking off the rust that inevitably shackles their game in June (Exhibit A, the Lions series). What worked in ‘17, won’t in ‘18. At this level, with the video study that goes on, you have to keep evolving your game and tactics to remain a step ahead.

Do the All Blacks play more with ball in hand in ‘18? Do they further use Beauden Barrett’s extraordinary vision and crosskicking ability? And do the new breakdown laws encourage them to speed their game back up?

The 2019 style will remain heavily under wraps. But the evolution towards it starts now.