New era dawns for Hansen’s All Blacks
Steve Hansen will turn the first pages of his post-World Cup succession plan tomorrow when he reveals how an All Blacks squad, drained of more than 800 test caps, can survive one of their trickiest transition phases in almost 20 years.
Thirty-two players will be named when the All Blacks squad to play Wales next month is revealed in Auckland, and what we already know is this: Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Ben Franks and Colin Slade have either retired or gone overseas. Liam Messam and Sonny Bill Williams have committed themselves to the NZ Sevens squad, and Nehe Milner Skudder is also unavailable because of a serious shoulder injury.
Not since 1997-98, when the All Blacks went through a period of losing experienced men such as Sean Fitzpatrick, Zinzan Brooke, Michael Jones, Olo Brown, Frank Bunce and Walter Little has the national team farewelled so many key players.
We also know Hansen and his fellow selectors Ian Foster and Grant Fox, having rolled out their post-World Cup strategy several seasons ago, haven’t had to deal with any unpleasant surprises when planning for this announcement.
Kieran Read will succeed McCaw as captain, Ben Smith will be his vice-captain. The leadership group will also include Sam Cane, Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Williams (when he returns to duty after the Rio Olympics) and Sam Whitelock.
No 8 Read has already led the All Blacks nine times in his 84 tests, while openside flanker Cane got a taste of the captaincy in the World Cup pool match against Namibia in London last year.
Hansen, who is contracted to New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2017 and is mulling whether to extend his contract until after the 2019 World Cup in Japan, doesn’t view the next era in the team’s history as a rebuilding phase, noting they have survived in the past when McCaw and Carter were injured. Going into a holding pattern doesn’t appeal, says Hansen.
It is common practice to add more forwards to a squad, and an 18-14 or 17-15 split seems probable.
The selection of the hookers, with Codie Taylor as Coles’ deputy, is straightforward, and the usual policy of carrying five props should be adhered to. Tighthead prop Owen Franks is expected to be joined by Crusaders club mates and looseheads Wyatt Crockett Possible All Blacks squad: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor.
Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu. Kieran Read, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Jerome Kaino, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire. Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, TJ Perenara.
Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga.
Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Charlie Ngatai, Seta Tamanivalu.
Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Damian McKenzie. and Joe Moody. Tighthead Charlie Faumuina and, possibly, fellow Blues player Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who can play both sides of the scrum, could round out this number.
Last year the selectors elected to carry Luke Romano, Retallick and Whitelock as their only three locks for the World Cup, relying on loose forward Victor Vito, an explosive jumper at the front of the lineout, to provide cover.
Vito’s decision to join French club La Rochelle when the Hurricanes complete their season, may result in four second rowers being named and the Blues’ Patrick Tuipuloto, who missed the global tournament because of injury, getting called up. If Whitelock’s hamstring injury rules him out of the first test at Eden Park on June 11, a place could be found for Scott Barrett.
Much of the public debate around the loose forward mix has centred on whether Elliot Dixon or Jordan Taufua should be included, given Jerome Kaino is carrying a shoulder injury and has struggled to get much traction in a struggling Blues pack.
Taufua and Dixon can play in all three back row positions but the latter, at 1.93m, may be viewed as a better lineout option.
Ardie Savea, who recently made the shock decision to not seek selection in the New Zealand sevens team ahead of the Rio Olympics, should be Cane’s backup at No 7 ahead of the unlucky Matt Todd.
If three halfbacks are carried, only two spots need to be discussed because Aaron Smith is guaranteed his place. Brad Weber and TJ Perenara are the logical options to flesh out this category, given Tawera Kerr-Barlow’s hasn’t been sighted since April because of a broken thumb.
The history books show the selectors prefer to carry three first five-eighths; pen in Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga, but it’s difficult to be so hasty when nailing down the midfielders to help fill the space left by Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Charlie Ngatai’s concussion issues are a worry. Ryan Crotty’s experience and proven versatility should be viewed as a major bonus; he could start at No 12 alongside Malakai Fekitoa at centre, while the powerful Seta Tamanivalu has done enough to warrant a look given his efforts at the Chiefs.
Damian McKenzie’s form at fullback for the Chiefs deserves to be recognised, and Hansen may integrate him slowly into the mix by plonking him on the bench. Israel Dagg, who missed the World Cup squad, remains a real contender and his inclusion would give extra experience at fullback should Ben Smith be required on the right wing.