Only the best will do for ABs
How All Blacks coach Ian Foster will conquer this intimidating peak is the big question.
As All Blacks fans tried to get their heads around the shock 23-12 loss to Ireland in Dunedin last weekend, Foster used a mountaineering analogy when looking ahead to the third and deciding test in Wellington.
If the All Blacks can ‘‘climb the mountain’’ at Sky Stadium on Saturday, Foster said, they will end the series well-placed for what lies ahead later in the season.
Maybe. Given what unfolded at Forsyth
Barr Stadium, where the All Blacks’ discipline and skills went out the window after the impressive 42-19 win in the first test in Auckland, it feels like their path to a series win is blocked by an intimidating wall of green rock.
Ireland’s recent success against the All Blacks – they have won three of their last four tests – says it all.
Had the All Blacks won in Dunedin, Foster may have been at liberty to tinker with selections ahead of the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship. Now his focus will have narrowed: A victory over Ireland is essential. The best team must play.
1. If lock Sam Whitelock is fully fit, is there any reason to leave him out of the starting team?
No. If cleared of the concussion symptoms that ruled him out of the test in Dunedin, Whitelock has got to make his 134rd test appearance. Brodie Retallick is also expected to start in the second row, but a lift in intensity may be expected by Foster.
2. So what does that mean for Scott Barrett?
Barrett, who started in the lessfamiliar blindside flanker role in the first test and was shifted to lock to fill the space left by Whitelock in Dunedin, should return to No 6.
Dalton Papalii started on the side of the scrum in the second test, but with the All Blacks all over the shop because of the red and yellow cards and starved of territory for long periods, he didn’t have an easy night.
3. Will Sam Cane keep his spot at openside flanker?
If he wasn’t the captain, the prized No 7 job could be opened up to other contenders.
Because he’s the official leader, don’t expect him to get the chop. Barring a bombshell announcement by Foster – and that isn’t going to happen – Cane will stay at No 7, and Ardie Savea will remain at No 8.
Not that it will shut down the external noise about whether Cane should keep his job. The best way he can shut it down is by guiding the team to a victory, and knocking the daylight out of any Irishmen that cart the ball down his lane.
Cane will have already rammed home the message that discipline is king. If his players don’t obey, he’s got to sort it out.
4. Will tighthead prop Ofa Tuungafasi be retained after his ill-discipline led to a calamitous series of events?
Yellow carded and fortunate not to give away a penalty try for an early tackle on Garry Ringrose, Tuungafasi was replaced by Angus Ta’avao, who in turn was red carded and suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on the same Irishman. Tuungafasi will hope for a second chance. He may get it.
5. What changes could there be in the backline?
It would be an error for Foster to offer left wing Leicester Fainga’anuku a second chance.
Although he was good in the first test, he made too many mistakes and was yellow carded in Dunedin. Sevu Reece, who has played with No 11 on his back in previous tests, could swap from the right wing.
Will Jordan, who scored a try after he took the field as a replacement in Dunedin, should start on the right wing. Caleb Clarke is another option but his long absence due to injury could mean he won’t be risked.
The experience of David Havili or Jack Goodhue at second five-eighth would be an asset in this must-win match. This is bad news for Quinn Tupaea, who started the first two tests alongside Rieko Ioane in the midfield.
This is no time for Foster to be loyal. He needs a positive result.