All Blacks trial in disguise?
The multi-faceted qualities of in-form Blues backline stars Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane present as two of the more interesting selection dilemmas ahead of the resurrected North-South clash at Eden Park in Auckland on August 29.
With confirmation the anachronistic interisland fixture – squeezed out of the calendar in the professional era – will take place a fortnight after the final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa, attention now turns to potential lineups at the disposal of the All Blacks assistant coaches who will take charge of the respective teams.
And it would appear to be North Island coaches John Plumtree and Scott McLeod who have the most to ponder, with South mentors Brad Mooar and Greg Feek likely to lean heavily on the dominant Crusaders franchise in their lineup for a fixture that helps fill the void created by
Covid-19’s devastation of the test schedule.
With designation set as the province first represented (rather than high school attended), Plumtree and McLeod have the far greater depth, and options, at their disposal, given 10 of the 14 Mitre 10 Cup unions are from the North Island.
As has become the norm in New Zealand rugby of late, Barrett’s best position becomes a major talking point for the interisland fixture. The
29-year-old was used extensively as a fullback by the All Blacks last year and has occupied the same spot for the Blues since making his debut for his new franchise in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
But, of course, we all know Barrett is a world-class No 10, capable of having an even greater influence on a game from the first receiver position than he can with the extra time and space afforded him in the last line.
With Barrett it all comes down to balance. The All Blacks moved him to fullback to allow them to start Richie Mo’unga at No 10 in a two-for-one type selection. The Blues made a similar call with Otere Black once Stephen Perofeta’s season-ending foot fracture reduced their options at fullback.
But there is the very real – and extremely tantalising – prospect that we could see Barrett go head to head against Mo’unga at first five-eighth in the revived interisland fixture as Plumtree and McLeod work through an array of backline options for the Eden Park clash.
With Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie also available for the North, it could be in their best interests to push Barrett up to No 10 and allow McKenzie to start at the back where he is a highly effective attacking weapon. Black could then slot on to the bench as cover, allowing Barrett to make the familiar late-game switch to fullback.
The wing and midfield combinations also throw up plenty
of form contenders and another selection conundrum. Does Plumtree pick Ioane at centre, where he has been playing the house down for the Blues, or on the wing where he has started all of his test rugby for the All Blacks?
Playing Ioane on the left wing, with Sevu Reece an automatic selection on the right side, would allow the North to start Hurricanes tackle-buster Ngani Laumape alongside Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield.
But a bolder call might be to recognise Ioane’s desire to be a long-term centre, pick him there outside the outstanding LienertBrown,
and reward dynamic Blues youngster Caleb Clarke for a standout Aotearoa campaign with the start at No 11. The decision may offer some insight into Foster’s preferences moving forward.
Blues right wing Mark Telea also hovers as an in-form option, and in midfield the likes of the Blues’ TJ Faiane and Hurricanes’ Vince Aso are also well worthy of consideration.
The North pack looks more straightforward, with the chief head-scratchers at lock and prop. Standout Blues back-rower Hoskins Sotutu should start at No 8, alongside national duo Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, while Dane Coles will likely run out at hooker.
Blue skipper Patrick Tuipulotu – in the form of his life – will be one lock, possibly alongside franchise team-mate Josh Goodhue, though the more mobile Vaea Fifita and Tom Robinson might also be considered.
The powerful Ofa Tu’ungafasi looks set to start at prop, either on his preferred tighthead side if Karl Tu’inukuafe’s hamstring is OK, or at loosehead if Angus Ta’avao (also on the injury comeback trail) gets the nod on the right.
The South’s backline looks like it will pack plenty of punch, with the tightest call likely at fullback between rising young stars Jordie Barrett and Will Jordan. A back three of Barrett, at fullback, the explosive Jordan on one wing and hardworking George Bridge on the other has all sorts of merit. The rest should pick themselves.
Up front, it’s in the loose where Mooar and Feek might have the most to think about. Shannon Frizell (over Gareth Evans), Dillon Hunt and Crusaders youngster Cullen Grace shape as potential starters at this stage, behind a strong tight five where the tightest call could be between Josh Dickson or Mitchell Dunshea to partner Sam Whitelock in the second row.
Dickson is a physical beast, though Dunshea’s mobility might tempt the coaches to keep the Crusaders combination intact.
Plenty to ponder with injuries likely to throw major spanners in the works as this exacting Aotearoa competition plays out.