Tour shows the All Black props need to front up
One of the most intriguing selections in the 2022 rugby season will be the All Black props.
The All Blacks returned from the Northern Hemisphere tour with criticism ringing loud about the ballcarrying quality of their props. They were shown up by the Irish and French props — adding to the public criticism voiced pre-World Cup in 2019 by then coach Steve Hansen.
His view then was a little different: the big front rowers props were not getting off the deck quick enough to re-engage with the action. While work has clearly been done in that regard, frontliners Joe Moody and, in particular, Nepo Laulala were shown up by Ireland’s Tadgh Furlong and Andrew Porter plus France’s Uini Antonio, Cyrille Baille and substitute Demba Bamba.
This is hard to take for Kiwi rugby fans. The ball-playing prop has been a prominent part of the New Zealand game. Last time I looked, the world record for test try-scoring by a prop was jointly held by Tony Woodcock and Kees Meeuws (10).
Moody might just about escape the intense focus likely to come — probably the most mobile and effective around the park. Laulala’s star dimmed and, of the others on tour, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Karl Tu’inukuafe seem to have stood still while George Bower, although busy, may not be the answer.
Of others less used, like the injured Angus Ta’avao and Tyrel Lomax, Ta’avao is mobile but may have to tidy up his scrummaging. Lomax progressed on this tour — but still needs to curb his tendency towards illdiscipline and penalty-gathering. Ethan de Groot looks promising but
was so little seen it was difficult to rate his progress.
While most believe the right players are in the wider squad, there may be changes in the top team, maybe more to do with power.
Can we, for example, afford to have both Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the same pack? Excellent players both, particularly on the turnover front — but Savea’s quiet game against Ireland reminded me of 2003 in Wellington when an England side, down to 13 players, robbed the All Blacks of their go-forward with stoic defence, often targeting Rodney So’oialo, a No 8 of similar dimensions to Savea.
The big England pack ragdolled him at times.
Liam Squire is missed more than most realise — a big, fast No 6 whose tackling was near Jerome Kaino ferocity. We are still seeking the right man at 6 and, generally, players who can switch to the sort of hard-boiled, tactical rugby that Super Rugby isn’t.
There is a need to get Hoskins Sotutu back to the hard-charging No 8 who would take ball into (and through) contact as opposed to today’s version — clearly asked to use his ball distribution skills more.
The All Blacks have too often been out-muscled up front in recent years but they are not alone in having work to do. France fell to Scotland and Australia (twice) this season.
South Africa lost five test matches — proving fallible at the death; they should have beaten the All Blacks in their first clash and should have beaten England last month.
England looked more dangerous in the backs than South Africa but were outplayed up front in the second half; they lost to Scotland, Wales, Ireland this year.
The All Blacks aren’t out of it yet and their preparation for the World Cup could start by fronting up to the front row.