Philpott has big job with U20 side Keeping Smith the top priority
Big Ben too valuable to the wellbeing of the All Blacks to let slip, writes MARC HINTON.
Once the domineering presence of world rugby’s next generation, New Zealand have been forced to adapt and juggle priorities after being brought back to the pack.
New Zealand stole the jump on everyone when the annual under20s World Cup debuted in 2008.
Through to 2011 the juniors were untouchable, winning four straight titles.
The 2011 version were the dream team with 13 players eventually progressing to the All Blacks. Ten from this year’s team will play Super Rugby next season; 23 of the All Blacks’ northern tour squad emerged through this production line.
As other nations cottoned on to the importance of talent identification and development in this area, the tide began to turn. South Africa won the 2012 tournament; England three of the next four.
Scott Robertson’s 2015 men broke a four-year title drought but New Zealand could manage only fifth this year after losing to Ireland in pool play.
Hawke’s Bay coach Craig Philpott, who assumes the reins from Robertson and steps up from assistant coach after three years with the 20s, is under no illusions what he is now up against.
‘‘If you look at the results over the past three or four years England in particular have stepped up and become quite dominant,’’ he said. OPINION: Steve Tew has a to-do list that would make your toes curl. He’s got to scrap and claw for New Zealand’s place in the new global rugby order, he has to bring the leadership of the Kiwi game into the 21st century with a female boardroom presence, he has a faltering image issue to address and, of course, a Lions tour to cash in on.
But top of his list has to be the retention of Ben Smith, one of three off-contract senior All Blacks being wooed by the cashed-up clubs of France, England and Ireland. It might be the most important thing the New Zealand Rugby chief executive does over the next few months.
Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden are all at the end of their current deals with NZR, and thus are men in demand at the elite levels of Europe. Still-in-theirprime All Blacks willing to step away from home are the most valuable of species, for club owners well know these men are in no danger of being whisked away to play or train for their country at inopportune times.
So Tew has some heavy-handed competition to deal with. Truth be told they’re rivals he can’t match, either, in pure financial terms. Nothing has changed there and, if anything, the discrepancy is growing between what elite New Zealand rugby players can earn overseas, and what they can be paid to stay loyal to the All Blacks.
Did we mention there are parts of Tew’s job that are decidedly tricky?
Anyway, Tew has one outcome that’s a must as he and chief negotiator Chris Lendrum put their offers together.
He has to find a way to keep Smith in the All Blacks jersey. That’s a bottom-line for the New Zealand Rugby boss who has been remarkably successful in player retention. Think of key All Blacks he’s lost prematurely in the last decade. Not a long list is it? Maybe Charles Piutau. Maybe Nick Evans, going back a ways.
The point is when Tew sets his mind to it he inevitably gets his man. He is helped by the extraordinary pull (and value) of the All Blacks jersey, by a non-selection offshore policy that is one of the central planks of the Kiwi game, and also by the unabashed loyalty of our finest players.
So, whatever it takes, Tew has to keep Smith around. He is one of the very best All Blacks. If push came to shove, I’d put him alongside Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick, Kieran Read and Beauden Barrett as our most indispensable.
The man simply never has a bad game, is world-class in almost everything he does on a rugby field, is an emerging leader and a fabulous bloke to boot.
Throw in that he is the heart and soul of the Highlanders franchise, and a humble, impeccably mannered and hugely regarded individual, and his retention becomes a no-brainer.
Tew won’t break the bank to retain Smith, but he will have to be creative to find a way to compete with his market value. It is imperative he does so, even if it comes at the cost of retaining the other two.
Dagg has made an outstanding return to form after missing last year’s World Cup and has deservedly made his way back into the All Blacks’ preferred back three. But he is dispensable. You have to say that.
Steve Hansen would much, much rather have Dagg, but if he had to box on without him he could make do with the likes of Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Damian McKenzie, James Lowe and others on hand to provide options.
It’s a similar story with Cruden who is now clearly playing second fiddle to the fabulous Barrett. It’s a luxury to have him, and he’s possibly only an injury from being a vital figure again. But with Lima Sopoaga, McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga and no doubt more to come, the All Blacks would not be demonstrably the worse for his absence.
Tew has not had the best of years, with the Chiefs’ Strippergate affair and Losi Filipo assault case handled poorly, and threatening his legacy. There are whispers that for the first time he is being asked some difficult questions by his board.
He could do with a positive story with his stamp on it. Retaining Ben Smith would fit that bill perfectly.
Just a quick final word on the controversy enveloping the All Blacks in the wake of their Dublin victory over the Irish.
The painting of Hansen’s men as arch-villains and serial headhunters by media figures and explayers in the north has been almost comical in its absurdity. ‘‘Cynical malevolence’’ was how one out-of-control wordsmith tagged the New Zealanders’ style that day.
While Kiwis might wonder where it has all come from, my response is: get used to it. The All Blacks have ruled the rugby world for a long time and there is a Lions tour coming.
The fury of the north is only going to get more unrestrained.