Which All Blacks are hot and cold ahead of the World Cup
Chris Rattue runs through All Blacks and their coaches on the rise (and on the way down)
Steve Hansen Surprisingly large fall
The halo is still available, to be restored at the World Cup next year, but it’s slid a long way down.
Coach Hansen reckons he has been setting things up for next year, but then again he would say that. At the end of last year, he argued everything would fall into place this year.
The All Blacks have lost their rhythm, their mojo, and the confusion is most evident in the way Aaron Smith is struggling to find the old magic.
The results and many performances are, by other countries’ standards, excellent. But there’s a nagging feeling that the once assured Hansen is starting to chuck a few too many Hail Mary passes. Joe Schmidt’s more clinical coaching of Ireland was a telling comparison point.
Ian Foster Slipping further
In terms of becoming the next All Blacks coach, Foster’s stocks with the public will have fallen further. But most people (I’m guessing) always saw him as an outand-out assistant, tailor-made for and by Hansen.
Scott McLeod Holding
A difficult year for the new defence coach, particularly with so many selection changes including a passing parade of disparate midfield backs.
Mike Cron Holding strongly
The All Black scrum under Cron’s guidance remains a thing of powerful beauty, even if Ireland gave them something to think about.
Codie Taylor Sharply rising
A breakout season for the hooker. Just when you thought the injury-hit Dane Coles was irreplaceable . . . a great year from Taylor who complements the tough stuff with important moments of magic.
Karl Tu’inukuafe Zooming upwards
A come-from-nowhere story. The way the rookie loosehead quickly adjusted after a couple of tough scrums against the excellent Irish should add to the growing legend. Brilliant scrummager who can put in a few bursts with the ball.
Brodie Retallick The legend grows
The World Cup squad MVS (most valuable selection) to many, despite a rare flop against Ireland. One of the greatest forwards of all time.
Owen Franks Creaking
Scrum bulwark’s lack of ball-carrying really hurts the All Blacks at times . . . compare that to the influence Ireland’s magnificent Tadhg Furlong had in the Dublin game.
Sonny Bill Williams Trending down
The coaches love him, some of the rest of us aren’t so sure. Great moments among serial inactivity.
Joe Moody Surprising (temporary) slip
Absences are cutting into his career, but he’s still a great bet for next year.
Sam Cane Holding
From a public perspective, he lacks the charisma of great All Blacks No 7s past, or Ardie Savea. But the game has changed, and some positions such as openside flanker are more homogenised.
Damian McKenzie Stuttering
Even his biggest fans (hand up here) have to admit that despite all the great stuff, he hasn’t cemented a place as a great All Black in waiting. And that’s what his talent demands. Still helterskelter and not enough straight gap running from fullback.
Beauden Barrett Rising or falling or holding
Take your pick . . . but he’s still a world-class matchwinner.
Jack Goodhue (pictured) Rising rock star
The new backline rock. Power and percentages.
Ardie Savea Flying high
A crowd favourite, and much more obvious than the redoubtable Cane who will remain the coach’s first choice. But will he end up as a passing fad who spends most of his time on the bench?
Aaron Smith Crashed
If this was the stock market, Smith would be described as experiencing a major correction. Significantly outpointed by the diminutive Springbok Faf de Klerk. Needs a good rest, rethink and re-boot. Not to be written off though.
Kieran Read Holding, just
A great warrior but he’s simply not the player of old. Savea’s energy at No 8 was a breath of fresh air.
Rieko Ioane Holding
We already knew he was a star but 2018 didn’t add to the twinkle.
Waisake Naholo
The dreaded lead balloon
Might not even get to the 2019 World Cup, yet could star if he gets there. Hard man to judge, but opportunities to impress may now be very limited.
Ben Smith Bit of a slip
Criticism of Smith is muted because the veteran boy next door is held in such high regard. Fact is, he was not always at his best.
Scott Barrett Rapid climb
One of the great finds . . . gives the All Blacks a fantastic locking trio.
Patrick Tuipulotu Edging higher
Some very promising moments . . . and the All Blacks need a big ball carrier. But how does he fit in?
Ofa Tuungafasi Firming
Cemented himself as the fifth prop.
Nepo Laulala Powering up
Injury wrecked tighthead’s long awaited return offered glimpses that he gives more around the field than Franks.
Ryan Crotty Bit of a slip
The midfield was a mess, and concussion-affected Crotty is no longer a likely starter.
TJ Perenara Stable
Perenara appeared to rise a little, but only because of Aaron Smith’s decline. Still lacks Smith’s finest passing form.
Dane Coles Late burst
Positive signs, after a weirdly long injury absence.
Sam Whitelock Holding strongly
The great lock looked knackered at times, but always put in a determined shift. Like Taylor, deserving of a decent holiday after an exhausting year.
Richie Mo’unga Potential to surge
A cause celebre, but a few blinding cameos off the bench are a far cry from crushing it in a major test.
Liam Squire Falling
A wrecking ball at his best, but he just can’t string great games together for one reason or another. It’s a long time since the loose forward combo looked so shaky.
Anton Lienert-Brown Strange step up
Really impressed . . . as a bench player.
Jordie Barrett Overall dip
A late surge from the Dunedin wanderer but volatile predictions for 2019.
Nehe Milner-Skudder Crashed
The game is up for the injury ravaged crowd pleaser . . . a great shame.
Jackson Hemopo Holding as the 2019 bolter
The rampaging work-in-progress Vaea Fifita has more obvious charms at No 6, but Hemopo is a more reliably combative blindside with the World Cup so close.
Ngani Laumape
Fell in 2018, but still a 2019 bolter
Let the midfield battering ram loose, give him confidence.