Ioane set for call-up to ABs
End of year tours have long been viewed with multiple objectives; to develop young players and assess aging legs. This one is no different for the All Blacks.
This one will very much shape planning for the next three years, through to the 2019 World Cup.
Increasing the squad size from the 32 players who successfully navigated Argentina and South Africa to 36 for four tests abroad against Ireland (twice), Italy and France leaves room for some new additions. But don’t expect any major bolters today.
The vast majority will be a continuation of either established or recently integrated players. It’s easy to forget Liam Squire, Damian McKenzie, Elliot Dixon, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ardie Savea, Seta Tamanivalu and Ofa Tu’ungafasi all made their test debuts this season. All, with the likely exception of Tamanivalu, will benefit from further experience.
Add Sam Cane and Aaron Cruden to the mix, both of whom missed the Rugby Championship away leg through injury, and there may be just two spots to fill. That’s just how hard it is to crack this All Blacks squad.
Auckland, Blues and sevens star Rieko Ioane is one new face expected to slip in. A teenager until next March, Ioane was the youngest top try-scorer in provincial history with 10 from nine matches this season. He also made 22 clean breaks, and will be one of the 25 youngest All Blacks to debut if he gets a chance against Italy in Rome.
Initially viewed as a long-term centre prospect, Ioane has a long way to go before he is the finished product. Tamanivalu, while playing for Taranaki, sat him on his backside with a stiff-arm fend to highlight some defensive work-ons. The attacking side of Ioane’s game has also come too easy at provincial level and he has been guilty at times of going alone.
The All Blacks will back themselves to refine these skills but Ioane’s first foray into the test arena is likely to come on the wing, where he will be asked simply to run hard and finish. He will also need to prove he has the necessary work ethic and grounding to make the significant step up.
The final place up for grabs may come in the lock/loose forward department. With New Zealand Maori touring Chicago and the UK at the same time, the All Blacks have the ability to call in other players when needed.
Between Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Cane, Savea, Squire, Matt Todd and Dixon, the loose forward department is stacked. But there may be a need to plan for the future, particularly at lock.
Age is no barrier but this tour is a chance to assess whether the likes of Luke Romano, 30, and Wyatt Crockett, 33, can make it through to the next World Cup. Blues powerhouse Patrick Tuipulotu is now clearly the third-choice lock.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has long been searching for a player capable of being comfortable to slot in at lock and six/eight. Kaino and Read have fulfilled that duty but Steven Luatua and explosive Wellington talent Vaea Fifita appeal as possible alternatives.
Fifita, with his athleticism, long stride, pace and genuine versatility looks destined to eventually make the grade. You can’t coach some of his natural gifts.
Former All Black Murray Mexted lured the Tongan-born prodigy to Wellington in 2012 with the idea of grooming him into a dynamic No 8. Since then, Fifita has risen to prominence but, to be a test lock, needs to add some weight to his 107kg frame. Retallick weighs in at 120kg.
A solid Super Rugby pre-season would allow Fifita to pack on some added beef – and open the door for Luatua, who was spotted at All Blacks training this week.
The 25-year-old played the last of his 14 tests two years ago. His form and fitness struggles have been well documented but this season for the Blues he recaptured the hunger and physicality the All Blacks asked of him. The timing may be right to reward him with another chance to prove he belongs at test level.