Fakatava has to be front of halves queue
TJ Perenara is likely the most vulnerable No 9 in ABs but eligibility an issue
Fresh blood is kicking down the door for the All Blacks. Nowhere more so than at halfback. There is a distinct element of glancing over the shoulder for incumbent All Blacks this season. Some will feel more comfortable than others but evolution is required.
The sooner the All Blacks can usher Folau Fakatava into their squad, the better.
Fakatava’s return from an untimely ACL injury, which ruled him out for the majority of last year, has been a slow burn.
While he is yet to make the most of starting chances for the Highlanders this season, two appearances off the bench underline his game-changing super sub qualities.
Against the Crusaders in Christchurch, when the Highlanders did everything but upset coach Scott Robertson’s men, Fakatava cut the red and black forward pack to shreds with his lethal running game off the bench.
Last weekend he was at it again in a 25-minute cameo that singlehandedly propelled the Highlanders to victory against the Reds in Brisbane. Scoring a try and setting up another with a magic inside flick ball that had the Australian commentators comparing him to George Gregan, Fakatava turned heads.
Thoughts immediately drifted to the similar impact Fakatava could have with the All Blacks. From a New Zealand perspective, his ability to expose tiring fringe ruck defenders is unmatched.
The Sauce understands Fakatava’s convoluted eligibility scenario is again under consideration from World Rugby.
As it stands, Tongan-born Fakatava is ineligible for the All Blacks until December, despite living in New Zealand since the age of 16.
Qualification via residency does not start until a player turns 18 but Fakatava has since been the victim of World Rugby’s residency change from three to five years, the unfortunate timing of his injury and further Covid complications.
Had Fakatava been fit last year, he would almost certainly have made his All Blacks debut.
Behind the scenes New Zealand officials are seeking to rectify Fakatava’s anomaly — possibly within the next month — in the hope common sense will prevail.
There are no guarantees Fakatava will get the green light before December but whenever he does become eligible, TJ Perenara is likely to be most vulnerable.
Aaron Smith is an automatic selection for the All Blacks but Finlay Christie is the form NZ halfback.
Christie continues to thrive behind a dominant Blues pack with his speed to the base, crisp delivery, support play and nuggety defensive work coming to the fore.
Smith and Christie should be locks for the All Blacks at nine, which leaves one further spot to fill.
Chiefs co-captain Brad Weber may be nervous after an extended stint on the sideline with an arm injury. Weber is expected to return this week but Cortez Ratima, described as a young Tawera Kerr-Barlow by Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, has impressed in his absence.
In 10 tests last year, Weber grabbed his chances from the base — yet he will be eager to serve a swift reminder of his influence in the closing Super Rugby Pacific rounds, as the All Blacks have long harnessed diversity among their halfbacks.
This is where Perenara appears most vulnerable. Not only does Fakatava offer a lethal running threat but his size and ability over the ball, as an effective fourth loose forward, could leave the Hurricanes veteran on borrowed time.