Sam’s men in black
AB surprises
It was against France, at Eden Park five years ago, that Ben Smith changed the direction of his career. He’d previously been a handy bench option, a useful utility back who couldn’t quite do enough to convince as a starter in his preferred position of fullback.
But in that first test of 2013 Smith was the man who made everything happen for an All Blacks side that struggled to find its cohesion and rhythm.
Smith made the decisive break after 30 minutes to create the All Blacks’ first try. He ran after numerous Aaron Cruden high kicks and either won them back or made them that little bit more effective with his chasing.
He was the man of the match and instantly locked himself in as an All Blacks starter and finished the season with a World Rugby Player of the Year nomination.
And Smith did it all — other than an enforced shift to centre to cover for Conrad Smith’s sabbatical — from the right wing.
He took all of his fullback skills and used them brilliantly for the All Blacks on the wing. The role suited him perfectly. He could pop up in the midfield. He could run off the shoulder of the first-five. He could be the team’s designated kick-chaser while offering auxiliary defensive support to his fullback.
Smith being Smith, he was able to seamlessly switch to fullback for the All Blacks and play there periodically in 2014 and regularly throughout 2015 and 2016.
To some it made more sense that he should be fullback for club and country and with Israel Dagg losing his confidence in World Cup year and returning as a wing in 2016, there wasn’t a compelling other choice for the All Blacks at 15.
There is now, though and while there may be some who are surprised at the make-up of the All Blacks back three for the first test, it’s a combination that reflects the changing nature of the game at the highest level.
Test rugby is as much about kicking and catching as it is passing and running.
The selection of Jordie Barrett at fullback is designed to give the All Blacks increased aerial threat so they can ramp up their offensive kicking game.
One of the best ways to subdue the inevitable rush defence the All Blacks face is to kick more. Smith is the best kickchaser in
There are many high speed kilometres racked up covering the backfield and at 32, Smith probably doesn’t need to be killing his legs.
world rugby and Barrett, as he showed against the Lions, has the height, athleticism and agility to get above defenders and be a threat on the cross-kick ploy.
Barrett also brings a thunderous boot of his own which gives the All Blacks more options in the backfield and lowers their predictability.
A back three of Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo and Smith — France will know the chances of the All Blacks running out of defence are high.
A back three of Ioane, Smith and Barrett keeps them guessing and there is no perception of there being a weak link under the high ball to target and exploit.
The All Blacks also play with such fluidity that they expect their fullback to come up to first receiver at times.
Barrett has plenty of experience in the midfield and he even shifted to first-five for the Hurricanes against the Lions last year, causing them plenty of problems when he did so.
Smith is more than comfortable playing that role of a second No 10 but with Barrett at fullback, the All Blacks potentially have four good decision-makers as Ryan Crotty is comfortable nudging in from No 12.
The other bonus including Barrett is his goal-kicking. Big brother Beauden will be entrusted with the duties but the All Blacks have learned that when their star man has an off night, he really does struggle.
If Beauden sprays the first couple wide, Jordie may be asked to take over sooner rather than later.
And the final bonus is the preservation of Smith. Fullback is a role that comes with endless, thankless running.
There are many high speed kilometres racked up covering the backfield and at 32, Smith probably doesn’t need to be killing his legs.