That was then . . . this is now: A potential line

It’s vital to retain a core of players who suffered against England, but the pack needs some more edge and the backs need more punch. By Paul Cully.

The All Blacks will be like a grizzly bear harbouring a grudge for the next four years, but the pain of defeat alone isn’t a guarantee they’ll be successful at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

The nature of the loss to England, rather than the loss itself, will prompt all manner of hard questions for everyone involved in the game.

The conclusions they reach will inform future selection decisions and might draw them towards the sort of athletes that New Zealand has typically unleashed on the world: explosive powerful backs and power forwards with a bit of edge about them.

With that in mind, the Sunday Star-Times has taken a look into the crystal ball to come up with this match-day squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Looks every centimetre an All Blacks fullback-inwaiting, although may be integrated into the side on the right wing. Has already developed the knack for big plays.

One of NZ’s historical advantages has been pace and size out wide and the 105kg Clarke fits the bill. Lots of improvement left in him, but he has a kicking game and Sevens campaign alongside fellow rising star Etene NanaiSeturo in 2020 won’t do him any harm.

Should be at his prime at the next Rugby World Cup and the English reality check after uninterrupted success at the Crusaders may be beneficial in the longer run.

Did we all get swept away by the romance of the ALBGoodhue partnership? Wrecking ball Laumape will be at the peak of his powers in 2023 and don’t forget the Ma’a Nonu precedent – Nonu missed out on the 2007 RWC — but won in 2011 as a 29-year-old.

Will be bitterly disappointed at how this season played out, but that just might spur him on during the coming years.

Beauden Barrett’s move to the Blues next year could revitalise him. Also worth asking if a shift to No 14 might suit him.

There are some hard calls ahead for the next ABs coach at No 10 – Mo’unga or Barrett? – but by 2023 the Crusaders playmaker will no longer feel like the new kid on the block.

Has a pass to rival Aaron Smith’s and will now come under the guidance of Warren Gatland, who should lift his game management.

Will be a senior, hardened All Black in four years’ time and may specialise at No 8 in the post-Kieran Read era.

Can Sam

Whitelock last another four years? If not the All

Blacks should turn to Cane’s calm demeanour and hard-nosed attitude.

Every All Blacks fan has their fingers crossed Jacobson gets over his concussion issues because the tough Cambridge product is the future of the All Blacks’ back row. The Blues’ Tom Robinson is also one to watch but his history of knee injuries is a worry.

A bit of a Hail Mary because he