Papalii embraces ‘hitman’ role
But Scott Barrett is long-term plan for coach Foster
All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii wants to channel his inner Jerome Kaino and ‘‘smack someone early on’’ in the unfamiliar No 6 jersey in the second test against Ireland in Dunedin tomorrow.
Papalii, a standout for the Blues in the No 7 jersey, has been shifted to the other side of the scrum in a move that the All Blacks have been weighing up for quite some time.
However, he will don the jersey in the knowledge it is likely to be a part-time role.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirmed yesterday that Scott Barrett had been in line to retain the No 6 jersey this week before locks Sam Whitelock and Tupou Vaa’i were ruled out due to concussion and Covid-19, respectively.
That suggests Barrett has the inside running to take hold of the No 6 jersey all the way through to the Rugby World Cup next year.
‘‘I think it’s fair to say we probably would have looked at ‘Scooter’ [Barrett] again,’’ Foster said.
‘‘I think you’ll see him there again at some stage but for now it’s a chance for us to look at where we could have ended up on the second half last week, which is three more mobile loosies.
‘‘They play a little bit similar
but Dalton is a tough rugby player and he’s physical in the tackle and he’s quick, so it just gives us a different dynamic. But clearly the set piece will be a little bit affected.’’
Papalii’s game is well suited to elements of the role, particularly as an Aucklander who grew up watching Kaino go about his business for the Blues and All Blacks.
Kaino’s work has clearly shaped Papalii’s view of his job against the Irish.
‘‘The No 6 is more of a hit man. I’ve just got to try to smack someone early on. No, I’m just going to add my own flavour to the jersey. I’ve still got to do my job because that’s the main thing . . . doing my job first and the basics well, and then the one or two percenters will come along after that.’’
Foster acknowledged that Papalii was ‘‘a different No 6’’ who could cover a lot of ground, but it appears there were three other
factors that favoured his selection.
First, the prospect of a quick game at Forsyth Barr Stadium; second, the niggle being carried by Akira Ioane; third, the coaches’ desire to do some longer-term planning around the makeup of the All Blacks bench.
‘‘It’s a hard ground under the roof and we expect the game to be fast,’’ Foster said. ‘‘I think Dalton is a very physical player in his own right but he’s also very quick
and offers a different sort of skill set in that space.
‘‘And whilst it’s a starting role it also something that we will be looking to cover within the 23 down the tracks, so it’s a good chance to do that.
‘‘With the likes of Akira, Nepo [Laulala] and to a lesser extent David Havili, [they are] three guys that are right but have still got little wee niggles. So, this has given us a chance to give them another week to . . . make sure that when they do get their opportunity they’re jumping out of their skin.’’
Foster also backed debutant Folau Fakatava, the Highlanders No 9, to play his natural game in front of his ‘home’ crowd.
‘‘He’s clear about the role of a No 9, but the flipside is he’s got his own little way of expressing himself that we don’t want to inhibit,’’ Foster said. ‘‘[We expect him to] do his basic job and get excited about the little wee holes that he might be able to find later on.’’