In-form McKenzie, Retallick lead way for All Blacks
In the third of a weekly segment, runs the rule over how the All Blacks, and some of the contenders for the jersey, are performing this Super Rugby season.
Top performers:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): Blues coach Tana Umaga could do worse than show his back three footage of McKenzie this week. While the Blues couldn’t catch a high ball to save their lives in fine conditions at Eden Park on Saturday night, McKenzie set the standard in Hamilton’s torrential run the previous evening.
His positional play was exceptional; frustrating Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara. He beat defenders on the counter attack, and regularly from first receiver. It still amazes how a bloke of McKenzie’s small stature skips out of tackles from men twice his size. And to top it all off, he nailed six from six off the tee.
Few strike it as sweetly as he does. McKenzie had his challenges making the step up to test rugby last year but appears to be regaining confidence and reminding those that matter of his talents – of which a heady kicking game from hand is but one.
Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): Chug, chug, chug. No, not Retallick’s nickname, Guzzler. We’re talking about his engine that roars louder and longer than a rotary, and has more power than a V8. Just ask TJ Perenara.
It was never a fair fight, but Retallick took great pleasure surging over the top of the Hurricanes halfback on his way to the opening try in the Chiefs’ victory - and rubbing it in Perenara’s face straight afterwards.
Retallick is the aggressor of the Chiefs’ pack. He’s more than happy to niggle away off the ball because anyone wanting a genuine crack needs a step-ladder just to reach his schnoz. Retallick also knows he can back up the banter.
Alongside Dominic Bird, who has just re-signed with the Chiefs, the pair form Super Rugby’s best second-row, one that’s made a mess of the Blues’ and Hurricanes’ lineouts in consecutive weeks. With the Lions tour imminent, Retallick’s menacing-as-everpresence is a comforting sight.
Sam Whitelock (Crusaders): Could just as easily be Scott Barrett here but Whitelock gets the nod from the Crusaders second-row for his calm leadership under pressure. The Crusaders got out of jail after a horror first half in Brisbane. Other than a brain explosion – see Jordan Taufua’s punch – they never looked flustered down the stretch.
Leadership is an intangible quality measured only in success or otherwise of teams. Three games in and the Crusaders are yet to truly perform. Yet they’re undefeated.
Two of those they may not have deserved to win, but their composure to take advantage of certain situations and launch stirring comebacks is a throwback to red-and-black teams of old, and a credit to their on-field leaders.
Keeping a lid on panic doesn’t just happen. In Whitelock the Crusaders have found a natural captaincy replacement for Kieran Read.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs): Simply outstanding at driving the Chiefs around in dire conditions. Directed his forward pack well; played territory when required and delivered the telling blow of the match with a dart down the blindside and chip over the top for Toni Pulu’s strike just before halftime. Starting to thrive with long-awaited game-time.
George Moala (Blues): Still much to refine about Moala’s game but he was the sole shining light of a truly hapless performance from the Blues. Moala’s direct punch and line-breaking ability is an asset in the midfield.
He breaks tackles, and gets over the advantage line when given quality ball. His decision-making and finishing ability remains well off where it needs to be but the raw material is there.
Luke Whitelock (Highlanders): Couldn’t ask for much more returning from injury. Whitelock is a no frills type looseforward but that should not detract from his efforts against the Blues. He snaffled turnovers at crucial times and in combination with Elliot Dixon regularly repelled sizeable one-off Blues runners.
With Liam Squire, Shane Christie and James Lentjes all sidelined, more of the same commitment will be needed from Whitelock this week.
Under pressure:
Blues forward pack: Abysmal is not being harsh. From a shabby set piece to lack of urgency and aggression at the breakdown and in their carries, all the talk about laying a better platform amounted to nothing. For a pack that includes Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, James Parsons and Pauliasi Manu, much, much more is expected.
It doesn’t get any easier this week with a trip to Christchurch. If Steve Jackson didn’t light a fire under his big boys last week he sure will now.