Read’s absence, Folau’s reception
1. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said captain Kieran Read is extremely unlikely to play France in June, so who will wear the No 8 jersey?
It won’t be Brad Shields, with reports noting the Northampton-bound back rower could represent England when they meet South Africa during the test window. Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), Akira Ioane (Blues), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) and Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) are potential replacements. Don’t forget Liam Squire, currently sidelined with a fractured thumb. The Highlanders back rower, who can cover No 8 and blindside flanker, appeals because he offers pace and power with the ball.
2. Who should captain the All Blacks in Read’s absence?
It’s a two-horse race, surely, between the Crusaders’ Sam Whitelock and the Chiefs’ Sam Cane. Openside flanker Cane first captained the All Blacks when they played Namibia at the 2015 World Cup. The promotion of Cane, because regular skipper Richie McCaw was given a spell, indicated the selectors believed the Chiefs No 7 was a test captain in embryo. That was before Whitelock inspired the Crusaders to win the Super Rugby title last year. He was preferred ahead of Cane to lead the All Blacks in their tour finale against Wales in Cardiff late last year. Beauden Barrett captained the ABs against the Barbarians in London several weeks earlier but seems unlikely to replace Read.
3. With Dane Coles still sidelined by injury still who will back up Codie Taylor ?
Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, James Parsons and Asafo Aumua have all been exposed to life inside the All Blacks bubble. With seven rounds of Super Rugby remaining until the competition goes into hiatus, the Chiefs’ Harris might have the inside running. He backed up Taylor in Cardiff and Edinburgh last year.
4. What reception will Israel Folau get from the Sydney crowd tonight?
Only the most devout Waratahs supporters could ignore the issue about Folau’s stance on where the gay community fits into his religious beliefs. The longer this rumbles on, the more awkward it becomes. Will it affect crowd numbers in Sydney? Will Folau get the razz from the local rugger fraternity? And will it affect his performance? 5. Can the Reds do a number on the Chiefs in Brisbane?
Aussie teams have now lost 34 games straight against their Kiwi counterparts in Super Rugby. It’s beyond a joke and not healthy for the competition. No side from NZ is going to want to be the one that allows this sequence to be snapped.