Back in the fray
SBW in the mix as Hansen takes risks
Damian McKenzie has been given another opportunity to steer the All Black ship in the absence of Beauden Barrett and making the little No 10’s job more challenging in Dunedin on Saturday is the relatively inexperienced line-up around him.
It is a case of last man standing for Highlander Shannon Frizell, who will wear the No 6 jersey on his home ground against France in his test debut after Liam Squire (shoulder) and Vaea Fifita (head) were ruled out following the scrappy second test win in Wellington.
The selection of midfielder Jack Goodhue, however, has a real throwof-the-dice feel about it. The promising Goodhue, who turned 23 just over a week ago, will make his test debut alongside fellow Mt Albert Grammar old boy Sonny Bill Williams and it is here that the selectors have stayed true to their aim of wanting to test the depth in their squad.
Coach Steve Hansen and company have resisted the temptation to start Richie Mo’unga in the No 10 jersey, but the Crusaders playmaker is named on the reserves bench and is also in line to make his test debut, with Highlanders lock or loose forward cover Jackson Hemopo another about to be capped for the first time, bringing to four the total of new players in the 23.
“One of the aims of the series was to continue to build depth across our squad and give players opportunities,” Hansen said. “Now that we have secured the Dave Gallaher Trophy and won the series, we think this is the right time to do that.
“It’s an exciting mix of players with big-match experience, newer All Blacks who are continuing to grow their game, and four players who have been named in the test 23 for the first time.”
McKenzie, on at first-five in the 12th minute in Wellington after Barrett suffered concussion in his now notorious clash with the unfortunate French fullback Benjamin Fall, didn’t control the test as well as he or the coaches would have liked, but given the changes to the rest of the squad he was always likely to be given an opportunity to redeem himself.
It will be McKenzie’s 12th start in his 15th test, but, significantly, it will be his first start at first-five.
He will be expected to play with a composure and calmness that he couldn’t quite manage at Westpac Stadium last weekend.
In further reshuffles, there is a recall for right wing Waisake Naholo, with Ben Smith moved back to fullback in place of Jordie Barrett, named on the bench.
There is no Sam Cane in the team, with Ardie Savea starting at openside flanker and Matt Todd on the bench.
Goodhue, named in place of Anton Lienert-Brown at centre, is an exciting prospect for the All Blacks following his form for the Crusaders over the past couple of seasons.
He has bulked up in recent years and is known as an intelligent defender and an attacking player who is hard to stop near the line but perhaps his best attribute is his ability to learn quickly.
His combination with Williams, recalled in place of Ryan Crotty, will be fascinating because of the Williams’ lack of recent game time after his knee surgery and the fact the pair could form a long-standing and destructive partnership which could take the All Blacks through to the knockout stages of next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.