Let Super Rugby form decide ABs selection
The All Blacks’ loss to Ireland was in some ways predictable. Not only were warnings served before the northern tour that the All Blacks were not dominating the game in the way they once did but astute observers confidently predicted Ireland’s win.
Sam Warburton, Isa Nacewa, and Stuff columnist Brendan Venter all had the Irish as favourites. It is significant. This is not a group of attention seekers piping up about the haka or lost All Blacks auras.
Two of the three (Warburton and Venter) have either played or coached against the All Blacks in the past 18 months, while Nacewa is superbly placed to comment on Ireland and the All Blacks.
If it has become obvious to those outside the All Blacks’ world that they have been surpassed it should be evident inside it as well.
Perhaps one of the lessons for next year is Super Rugby form must carry true weight again.
At the corresponding stage of the previous World Cup cycle the majority of the All Blacks side was set in stone.
Now, there are number of positions that look contestable.
The Beauden Barrett-Richie Mo’unga debate is not one of them. The All Blacks have made their minds up there and are clearly not for budging.
But in jerseys No 2, No 6, No 7, No 12, No 14 and No 15 (and possibly even No 3) this is not the time for rigid minds.
The pecking order in those positions, and by extension, the wider World Cup squad must be up for debate.
If Ngani Laumape outshines Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty next year then pick him.
If George Bridge gets a chance on the right wing for the Crusaders and mimics this year’s form then pick him.
If Jordan Taufua eats up every opponent who ventures down his channel and carries strongly then pick him.
These are not personal preferences but examples of the debates that need to be had.
Bridge’s superb second-half performance against Japan was a lesson. For all of the talk of the massive step up from Super Rugby to the All Blacks, Bridge made it look easy.
Bridge’s non-selection for the rest of the year also made one wonder about the other opportunities the All Blacks might have missed this year.
Are they holding on too tightly to some players because they have performed in the past?
Are they holding on too tightly to their own convictions about some players when the evidence is pointing in other directions?
You would hope that the All Blacks are asking these hard questions of themselves because others are certainly asking them.