Laumape gets his big shot
From the outhouse to the penthouse, tackle-shredding midfield back Ngani Laumape has been handed what might be one of the most important opportunities of his All Blacks career.
The 25-year-old Hurricanes pocket rocket has been given the vacant starting No 12 jersey for Saturday night’s second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies at Eden Park, with coach Steve Hansen springing a minor surprise in his choice to replace the KO’d Ryan Crotty.
There’s also a new face in the back three, with Jordie Barrett winning a straight, and competitive, head-to-head with his Hurricanes team-mate Nehe Milner-Skudder to replace the injured Rieko Ioane. Barrett comes in at fullback, to restore the full complement of family members to the 23, the versatile Ben Smith moves to the right wing and Waisake Naholo flips to the left side.
Otherwise the starting XV is intact from that which put one hand on the Bledisloe in Sydney with a resounding 38-13 victory. The return of fit-again tighthead prop Ofa Tuungafasi to the bench is the only other change to the 23. Tim Perry drops out, after making his test debut last week, and Karl Tu’inukuafe goes back to covering the loosehead side.
Tighthead prop Owen Franks will also run out in the accustomed No 3 jersey to become the ninth member of the All Blacks’ 100-test club. The 30-year-old made his debut in 2009 and has been a cornerstone of the scrum ever since.
Laumape’s promotion at No 12 might raise an eyebrow or two. Many had presumed Hansen would simply run with Anton Lienert-Brown, who played so capably when coming on for the concussed Crotty in just the 12th minute at ANZ Stadium.
His combination with young centre Jack Goodhue was impressive, and even more so considering Lienert-Brown had not run at 12 in training all week.
But the coaches like LienertBrown as their adaptable impact man off the bench and have decided there’s no time like the present to take another look at Laumape in the starting role.
It will be just Laumape’s second test start for the All Blacks, with his other opportunity coming in the third test against the British and Irish Lions last year, also at Eden Park, when he replaced the suspended Sonny Bill Williams.
He has made five other test appearances all told, all off the bench, including twice against the French in the June series this year.
But this shapes as a potentially pivotal moment for the
1.71m, 103kg tackle-buster from Manawatu.
Remember, he only made this Rugby Championship squad initially as injury cover for Williams through the first two matches – though that stay will surely now be extended on the back of Crotty’s likely enforced absence.
The back-three call is also interesting. There was a school of thought they might usher MilnerSkudder back after he produced a strong showing for Manawatu last weekend in provincial action.
But they have gone with Barrett after Hansen last week said he wanted to give the 21-yearold some time to ‘‘reflect’’ on his two starts against France and to continue his development outside the test lineup. His period of contemplation has been a short one.
Hansen said the chance to close out the Bledisloe in two had his men on high alert at a ground they have not lost at since 1994 and which Australia have not won on since 1986.
‘‘We know that there will be a massive response from Australia following their performance last week. Not only are we excited by this challenge, but we’re looking forward to responding ourselves with a better performance,’’ he said.