ABs from on-form Super stars
Many of us will have time on our hands in the coming, darkening months, so let’s roll out that old parlour game, ‘‘Pick the All Blacks’’. It’s very easy to play. You are Hector Selector. You have to give due weight to the early matches of this week’s Super Rugby season and, so, who is your team to play against . . .?
Well, it is unlikely that the three-match series against Wales, beginning on July 4, is going to go ahead. Can’t see that happening. We can hope, but it’s a faint one. So let’s look forward with a pause for optimism, and say that the All Blacks will kick off their international season against Australia in Wellington on August 15.
So who is your fullback, Hector, as we decide on some of the pivotal positions? This is a big one. We have not seen Beauden Barrett yet this season and he is unlikely to play much top level rugby before August. So do you hold the faith or do you look at Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett.
If you go that way, then Jordie is your man. The difference between Barrett and McKenzie is the major reason why the Canes beat the Chiefs last weekend. Under Warren Gatland, and indeed at international level, McKenzie is having to kick more than he did when Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith were opening up the backfield and letting the Chiefs play.
And McKenzie is not remotely as good a kicker as Barrett. Not even close. Every time there was a head-to-head, or rather boot-to-boot, the Canes had a massive gain in territory. Having noted all of that, in recent seasons McKenzie’s running game would still have decided the vote in his favour. That is no longer the case.
McKenzie has not yet scorched the earth as he used to before his knee injury. Indeed the Chiefs have at times looked more potent with Solomon Alaimalo at fullback. In contrast, Jordie Barrett has been a persistent threat – breaking tackles with his strength and using his step to straighten up the lines of attack.
When you add the value of his long-range kicking then, to the surprise of many of us, Jordie Barrett is the clear winner. Already I can hear objections to this from growling Crusaders’ fans. But although David Havili is a super talented footballer, he still has the odd rogue half of rugby that can cost his team matches. He did it against the Chiefs, albeit from No 10, earlier in the season.
Good luck with picking the wide men. This is a wing and a prayer. The Crusaders’ lads are not in the form of last season, although they were just starting to spark before time was called. The Highlanders as a rugby threat seem to be in permanent self isolation. On form, Ben Lam has been a mighty influence, Shaun Stevenson has had moments of brilliance. Mark Telea has been irrepressible for the Blues. Rieko Ioane, albeit at centre, has shown more signs of the old gas. The trouble is, Lam, Ioane and Telea are all left wings.
The midfield surely depends on where you play Jack Goodhue. If you play him at 12, then Anton Lienert-Brown probably comes in at 13. Braydon Ennor’s defence is still too flaky at the moment. If you play him at 13, then Ngani Laumape, just ahead of TJ Faiane, plays at second-five. I prefer the second option, but there is at least tactical variation depending on the opposition. Perhaps the three most effective midfield backs at the World Cup were Samu Kerevi, Damian de Allende and Manu Tuilagi, all powerful men.
With Beauden not playing, 10 is a straight choice between Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Cruden. Oh, what luxury. Mo’unga has not lost for the Crusaders this season, a common occurrence. The All Blacks have not lost with Cruden as a starter.
Aaron Smith is not in the mix at halfback, his form and decision-making being as poor as it was in the aftermath of his sex scandal. So with nods to Bryn Hall and Sam Nock, it’s a choice between TJ Perenara and Brad Weber, who has done some sensational things this season. However, with Weber getting slightly bullied against the Canes, and his pass wobbling at times, Perenara comes in, not least because of his seismic influence on referees.
The back row is a conundrum where the All Blacks have lacked a power runner for some time. So, despite some naive decisionmaking at times, they have to look at Hoskins Sotutu at No 8, who will give them some much needed gain-line carries.
The balance of flankers is an ongoing discussion. The All Blacks got hammered against England at the cup, with Tom Currie and Sam Underhill dominating the breakdown. Do you then play two virtual sevens, which means that Lachlan Boshier comes in at six. With 17 turnovers in 2020, he is six ahead of the next man, Du’Plessis Kirifi. The technique of Kirifi would also get whistled far more severely at international level.
Or do you go with Cullen Grace, who is an old fashioned six and surely destined to be an All Black for a very long time. He has height, he hits hard but legally in defence, and he is deceptively quick. Goodness knows why Grace played at lock during last year’s U20 World Championship and didn’t get on the pitch in the defeat to Wales.
I am not sure that anyone has made an overwhelming case at No 7, which means that Sam Cane probably comes in. The All Blacks missed him in the first half against England. But he is looking a bit battered. The enforced lay-off may do him good.
The front five, as was shown up at the cup, is where we have problems. But on form, Patrick Tuipolutu is a stand-out. He looks a touch quicker and stronger, testimony to the Blues’ improved fitness levels. Next to him Scott Barrett plays because Brodie Retallick is on overseas leave.
And so to the front row, which is where the All Blacks are weak compared to the northern hemisphere. Tyrel Lomax had been a big part of the Canes’ scrum improvement and, despite his completely daft red card, he gets in ahead of Karl Tu’inukuafe.
At hooker, Asafo Aumua and Samisoni Taukei’aho should be looked at. Dane Coles and Codie Taylor are both fine players, but they have been treading water a bit. Aumua and Taukei’aho both bring an explosive power, but the pair need to refine their lineout throwing. It’s an art form and they can both be a bit sketchy.
On the loosehead, Joe Moody probably just about hangs on. He did not have a particularly distinguished RWC, but the search goes on for someone better. The All Blacks were more than a match for England in many areas of the park, but when you compare them to the England front row of Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler, there is an obvious inferiority.
In that humbling semi, Mako Vunipola carried the ball 16 times and made seven tackles. Moody and Laulala carried three times between them. Part of the reason was a weird game plan, if plan is the right word, but they still looked like dirt trackers.
Anyway, with Super Rugby being more influential in this choice than when Foster eventually comes to pick his team, here is what Hector Selector might come up with. Now it’s a hypothetical team chosen on form, and we know Foster won’t make most of those innovative calls, but this is what an All Blacks team influenced by Super Rugby might look like —
what, you don’t agree?
The front five, as was shown up at the World Cup, is where Hector Selector and Ian Foster have problems. But on form Patrick Tuipolutu is a standout.
Jordie Barrett, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, TJ Perenara; Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Cane, Cullen Grace, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Joe Moody.