Buck’s call on ABs No8 contenders
Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford has delivered his verdict on the candidates to replace Kieran Read and panned the modern trend for playing loose forwards all across the back row, declaring that new All Blacks captain Sam Cane doesn’t have the hands to play No 8.
‘‘Some of the skills the No 8 needs are different to a flanker’s skills,’’ Shelford told Stuff.
‘‘Every time Richie McCaw went back there he looked out of sync. He wasn’t a No 8.
‘‘You put Cane back there, and he’s exactly the same. It does not suit them.
‘‘They don’t have that finesse and the hand skills they need. Even Kieran Read struggled at times with controlling the ball at the back of the scrum.’’
The Blues’ Hoskins Sotutu has been putting his hand up with some strong performances and Shelford, who keeps a close eye on all the contenders, said he had the potential to be a test player.
However, the legendary hardman sounded a distinct note of caution, warning the 21-year-old was enjoying a honeymoon period that wouldn’t last.
‘‘He’s a good footballer, that’s for sure,’’ Shelford said.
‘‘He’s powerful and pretty quick and gets around the field, and gets involved in the game a lot.
‘‘[But] we’re pretty good at putting guys in high places, and then they struggle with all the media and they fall over.
‘‘He’s good enough to go all the way, but he needs a couple of good seasons with the Blues.
‘‘He’s just the new boy on the block at the moment, and once everybody gets to know how he plays, next year he’ll have quiet year.’’
In recent years, New Zealand has produced a number of ‘utility’ back row forwards who can play No 6, No 7, or No 8.
Ardie Savea, Cane, Dalton Papali’i and Luke Jacobson have all played across the back row, while Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Cullen Grace have the ability to cover No 6 and No 8.
Cane was due to start the season at No 8 for the Chiefs before a back injury ruled him out.
However, it’s a development that Shelford dislikes, arguing that it robs athletes of developing the specialist skills they need to flourish at the back of the scrum.
‘‘I still think many of the No 8s are still playing like flankers,’’ Shelford said.
‘‘Coaches have made the No 8 a generic position.
‘‘A lot the No 8s struggle to control the ball with their feet and a lot of them struggle to get off the back of the scrum.
‘‘Sometimes I don’t think they know how because they haven’t been taught those skills.
‘‘It takes years to learn how to control the ball with the scrum going forward.
‘‘They keep experimenting. So, someone comes back from injury they chuck him into No 6orNo7.
‘‘So, you don’t get repetition, game after game in the boot and you’re not learning your game properly.’’
Ardie Savea remains the favourite to wear the No 8 jersey for the All Blacks this year, although Shelford noted that in addition to returning from injury, the Hurricanes flanker is now a marked man.
‘‘Even Ardie at the weekend, he didn’t shine that much at all,’’ Shelford said. ‘‘I didn’t see much football out of him. He played quite well, but he didn’t play a big game of football.’’
Shelford also still held high hopes for Blues flanker Akira Ioane, noting that he had all the physical attributes to be an All Black.
‘‘If his head is in the right space and it’s all about the team and not about him, he could go a long way as well,’’ Shelford said.
‘‘He’s got the ability, but it’s whether his head is in the right space. ‘‘Strong boy, good runner, and basically he needs to play some football and get his hands on the ball as much as he can.’’