‘Physical beast’ Squire strives to emerge from shadows
Jerome Kaino casts a big shadow, and Liam Squire accepts he’s still in the shade in terms of taking ownership of the All Blacks’ No 6 jersey.
It is hard to argue with Squire’s assessment.
Since 81-test veteran Kaino was granted leave to deal with personal issues two months ago, he hasn’t been sighted in test rugby. Squire and the raw, but talented, Vaea Fifita have started in his absence.
Asked how it felt to be ranked as New Zealand’s top blindside flanker, given he had been named to start against the Aussies for the third time this year, Squire slammed the door on that question: ‘‘I don’t think I’m number one.’’
To say Squire, selected for his fifth test of the year and his 13th cap, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, is now the top-ranked blindside in New Zealand would be to ignore everything Kaino has achieved.
The key, says All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, is to be patient.
Because Kaino hasn’t played a test since the third match against the British and Irish Lions in early July, and with the game at Suncorp Stadium expected to be played at a fast clip, Hansen doesn’t want to do the veteran a disservice.
‘‘We know what JK has done in the past, it is just a matter of the right opportunity presenting itself to bring him back after he hasn’t played a lot of rugby,’’ Hansen said.
It is a policy that is not without risk. Even if Kaino only lasted 50 minutes, he has the potential to put fear into the Aussie ball carriers and
"To be learning beside JK now is massive for me." Liam Squire on Jerome Kaino
defenders alike.
A succession plan is also being put in place. Kaino is contracted to NZ Rugby through to 2018. If he wants to continue through to the World Cup in Japan the following year, he would need to be sure his body, which would be 36 years old, can handle the grind.
If not, Squire and Fifita - the latter started both Rugby Championship games against Argentina - are options to replace him if their form and desire warrants it.
Hansen likes big, rugged brutes who work flat-out at blindside flanker and Squire selected the right role models to fit that job description.
‘‘Jerome Kaino and Jerry Collins. Just the way Jerry played was exciting, and JK is similar,’’ Squire noted. ‘‘To be learning beside JK now is massive for me. It’s not something I take for granted.’’
Squire has speed and power. He can be an aggressive tackler, although he has to mind his technique.
He copped a controversial yellow card during the Highlanders’ Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Crusaders this year for a heavy tackle on Richie Mo’unga, with coach Tony Brown leaping to his defence.
Two months ago, when the All Blacks thumped the Wallabies 54-34 in Sydney, Squire produced his best game in a test jersey. More of that in Brisbane would earn a few more ticks from Hansen, who noted Squire took time to adjust to the big-time last year.
‘‘He has got more comfortable, and a lot of the anxieties of being an All Black are starting to disappear,’’ Hansen said.
‘‘You are starting to see the real Liam. He is a real physical beast and he has got pace, good skills, good in the lineout. He has got the whole package. It is just a matter, now, of polishing it to the point where we get to see all his potential.’’