Fakatava and Papalii the intriguing Foster picks
Ian Foster has had his cake and eaten it too. He’s stayed loyal to his All Blacks who got the job done so admirably in Auckland, yet has managed to roll the dice with a couple of glimpses into the future that carry major World Cup implications.
For the most part, Foster’s lineup for the second test against Ireland in Dunedin is both predictable and admirable. In the gladiatorial world of test rugby you resist changing a winning team unless there is a very, very good reason. Especially after a performance as notable as that at Eden Park last Saturday when the New Zealanders answered some major doubts in resounding fashion with their 42-19 victory.
It’s likely Foster would have left his starting XV unchanged but Sam Whitelock’s head knock forced at least one tweak, with Scott Barrett moving back to lock (sensible) and Dalton Papalii coming in at No 6 (all sorts of interesting) to form a flying squad loose trio alongside skipper Sam Cane and the unequivocal best player in the world, Ardie Savea.
That means Crusaders pair Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku remain on the wings, Quinn Tupaea stays in midfield and George Bower and Ofa Tuungafasi get another crack anchoring the scrum after such an impressive showing at the Garden of Eden.
But it’s on the bench where Foster has allowed himself some latitude, and given us something to ponder. Aidan Ross replaces Karl Tu’inukuafe as backup loosehead and exciting young Highlanders expressionist Folau Fakatava slots in for Fin Christie as the impact halfback. There are two other changes not quite as notable, with Patrick Tuipulotu covering lock as the only other second-rower standing and Will Jordan making his return from the Covid ward via the bench.
Ross’ promotion for a test debut is both sensible and exciting. It’s hard to fathom what the France-bound Tu’inukuafe was even doing there in the first place.
Fakatava, to me, is the most exciting selection in this entire squad. The youngster has already shown at the level below he’s the perfect foil to the classy Aaron Smith in the No 9 role. He’s more robust, more of a running threat and more of a risk-taker than Smith.
Christie is a little unlucky. He’s a good player. Consistent. Reliable. Committed. But Fakatava, who will be energised by playing in front of his home fans, is much more of a differencemaker off the bench with his mindset and makeup. You can imagine him entering the fray in the last 20 of, say, a World Cup semifinal and turning the match with a dab from the base and a no-look flick inside to a support runner.
It’s why if Smith was injured I’d
start Christie, and feel good about it.
Papalii’s selection at No 6 is the big talking point. The Blues skipper, who yesterday re-signed with the franchise through the 2024 season, has been the form No 7 of the New Zealand game, but is being entrusted with a different
role. There has to be an element of the unknown about it.
Foster has made no secret of the fact that he’s intrigued by a loose trio of Papalii, Cane and Savea – all opensides by inclination. It should not want for mobility and skill-level. The challenges will be at the lineout and in pure physical impact. Any trade-offs must yield positive spinoffs in other areas.
But with Barrett out, and Akira Ioane not exactly banging the door down with his performances, you can see why Foster has green-lighted the ‘flying squad’ trio now. In ideal conditions, on a fast track, with an Irish response surely coming, there’s no time like the present to answer some important questions.
One final observation. Reece and Fainga’anuku thoroughly deserve another crack on the wings. They are riding some handy momentum. But with Jordan hovering on the bench and Caleb Clarke surely close to getting that hammy right . . . let’s just say it’s a dynamic with the potential to change quickly.