The next layer of talent would walk into most test sides
New Zealand’s top 50 players are the envy of world, reports Paul Cully.
The comparison was unavoidable. The Queensland Reds had been talking up the merits of Taniela Tupou, the 20-year-old Tongan Thor, before last weekend’s 50-5 drubbing at the hands of the Chiefs.
But it was another giant young tight-head, the 21-year-old Chief Atu Moli, who caught the eye.
In Brisbane, Moli scrummaged strongly against one of the better set-pieces in Australia, carried strongly and even popped up to finish off a superb team try. New Zealand was getting a glimpse of the future in the No 3 jersey.
In the Chiefs’ midfield, Anton Lienert-Brown popped a basketball offload – already becoming something of a trademark – to gift Damian McKenzie five points, while James Lowe just did what James Lowe has been doing for two seasons: creating havoc with his line breaks and breaking the hearts of opposition packs with his raking left-foot touchfinders.
The previous night in Auckland, Melani Nanai was doing a fair impression of Israel Folau in cutting up the Brumbies, while openside Blake Gibson showed soft hands in setting up a try to complement the hard-nosed attributes he brings to the No.7 jersey. The speed at which these young men have adapted to Super Rugby has been startling, but the fact that none of them have even been around an All Blacks squad would make other countries weep with envy.
It’s easy to compose a XV of shadow All Blacks (below) that would give some Tier 1 sides some headaches – when you struggle to find a spot for Chiefs discovery Taleni Seu in either the second row or at No 6 then you know the talent pool is deep. Australia can but dream of these riches.
England, who have become the dominant nation in World Rugby’s Under 20 championships in the past three years, may be the more realistic long-term challenger. They are producing a generation of players who do not quiver at the mere sight of a black jersey.
Regardless, this era of All Blacks’ domination will take some ending. The next layer: 15. Melani Nanai (Blues), 14. Rieko Ioane (Blues), 13. Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11. James Lowe (Chiefs), 10. Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), 9. Sam Nock (Blues), 8. Akira Ioane (Blues), 7. Blake Gibson (Blues), 6. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5. Scott Barrett (Crusaders), 4. Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes), 3. Atu Moli (Chiefs), 2. Ash Dixon (Highlanders), 1. Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes)