The second test: The big questions
Ioane suggests it’s a result of maturity. ‘‘As I’ve got older, I’ve come to realise the role of defence,’’ he says. ‘‘Perhaps earlier in my career, in its infancy, I didn’t see that as much.
‘‘But when you look at someone making a tackle, you don’t want to let them down. Or when you know your mate beside you is going to make that tackle, it’s a good feeling. It’s the stuff that will never make the highlights reels.’’ He also thinks the All Blacks’ long period on the road together last year created invisible ties that will bind that group of players together for years, perhaps decades. In fact, Ioane says he is now looking forward to getting on tour again this season.
In some ways, Ioane remains the archetypal modern player, with his love of gaming. He says he and his friends ‘‘lose themselves in that world’’, as a form of escape.
But it would be an error to equate that with frivolity. There has been a single-minded determination behind his shift from wing to centre. He has had to stand his ground at times.
‘‘I had to be quite stern with my coaches at Super Rugby,’’ he says. ‘‘But I knew that didn’t mean
Rieko Ioane
anything for the All Blacks. I knew that playing at No 13 for the Blues wouldn’t mean anything unless I played well.
‘‘But [Ian Foster] has been a good listener. He’s given me a lot of confidence at centre.’’
Foster appears to have slowly been won over. The head coach is on record as saying he initially saw Ioane as a winger who could cover centre, but Ioane is starting to accumulate tests in the No 13 jersey.
Competition from Jack Goodhue means that Ioane can take nothing for granted, but for now he knows exactly what he needs to do to hold on to the jersey he has fought for.
Let’s see how Andy Farrell copes with the blowtorch being turned his way.
During the buildup to the first test at Eden Park in Auckland last week, All Blacks coach Ian Foster was under the most pressure as he sought to address the concerning issues that emerged during the successive defeats to France and Ireland in November.
Now it’s Ireland coach Farrell’s turn to squirm after the All Blacks beat his team 42-19. Not that Foster is off the hook. An All Blacks coach rarely is.
A victory in Dunedin tonight will give the All Blacks a series win, and the chance of a cleansweep in Wellington on July 16. Just don’t underestimate Ireland. Good enough to finish second in the Six Nations, expect the Irish to go ballistic at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Stuff rugby writers Richard Knowler, Robert van Royen and Paul Cully offer their thoughts on five hot topics ahead of the test in Dunedin.
Former England player Stuart Barnes, a rugby pundit in the northern hemisphere, had a crack at All Blacks captain Sam Cane in an English publication this week. Fair or otherwise?
Look at it this way. How often do New Zealand rugby heads bang on about how great Cane is after a test match? The truth is, not that much. So maybe Barnes has just amplified those sentiments. Then there’s the issue of whether Ardie Savea should be starting at No 7. Yet it would be a mistake to under-rate Cane. He’s a good leader, courageous (remember his comeback from that dreadful neck injury) and a punishing defender.
He’s entitled to throw a few darts, and it would seem there’s no shortage of Kiwi punters in agreement with him. However, his comments are unfair on the back of 67 minutes of solid test footy last week.
Criticism is an unfortunate part of the job when you are the All Blacks captain. However, Cane’s real value will be revealed when the All Blacks have to go deep into their reserves this year. He stands up when the going gets tough, and any assessment about Cane’s worth should be put on ice for the next four tests – the two remaining games against Ireland and the two tests against the Springboks in South Africa.
Richard Knowler: Robert van Royen: Paul Cully: What are your thoughts about Ian Foster shoe-horning three No 7s into the All Blacks’ back row? The NZ Rugby board executed a U-turn by allowing Patrick Tuipulotu to be rushed back into the injury-hit All Blacks. Should they have stuck to the guns and continued the Big Freeze?
RK:
It’s a mess. This business of Damian McKenzie and Tuipulotu not being eligible to play Ireland because they skipped Super Rugby Pacific to play in Japan, seems petty. Not to mention confusing: especially when NZ Rugby turns around and allows Tuipulotu in as injury cover.
No. Being required to turn out for his province before being eligible for the national side is a box-ticking exercise not worth losing sleep over if bypassed.
He’s contracted to New Zealand Rugby, so it’s a logical decision. Previously, they picked Matt Todd when he was under contract to Panasonic in Japan, so Tuipulotu could argue he should have been eligible in any case.
RVR: PC: If you were Ireland coach Andy Farrell, in what areas would you get your side to aim-up against the All Blacks? RK:
He needs to get his team to get its set-pieces right. Especially the scrum after last week’s hammering. You could also imagine telling his players to picture him putting 50,000 volts through the soles of their feet if they attempt to run the ball from within their own half at Forsyth Barr Stadium. You get the picture. In and around the ruck. They were going great guns in Auckland through the first 20 minutes, repeatedly utilising inside balls to smash over the advantage line. They got torched the moment they strayed and got too expansive. It sounds odd but Ireland need to play a bit less rugby. They got themselves into a hole last week by needlessly trying to speed things up in the first half when they were already in control. They don’t have the All Black game breakers but they look good when they are methodical in holding on to the ball.
‘‘When you know your mate beside you is going to make that tackle, it’s a good feeling. It’s the stuff that will never make the highlights reels.’’