Start Cruden to subdue the Welsh – and Piutau’s worth a punt
IT’S hard to see how too many fringe All Blacks advanced their cause in a muddled display against Scotland – though the impressive Charles Piutau might be the notable exception.
A lot of the All Blacks’ inability to get their game going at Murrayfield was down to combinations, or the lack thereof. With only two ‘‘frontline’’ players in the starting XV that was probably to be expected.
But Piutau was a standout on the left wing, and may have given Steve Hansen the most to think about as the coach ponders his lineup to face the Welsh in the tour, and year’s, finale.
He went looking for work, either taking gaps on the outside or muscling up, and he always went forward. I loved the way he fought and fought to get that little bit of ground.
That’s important. Any team struggles with static ball. When you haven’t gone forward, all those dummy runners become redundant because they’re too far ahead, are not genuine threats and are not taking out defenders.
Piutau has earned the chance to have a crack, if Hansen wants to shake things up in his back three. That would mean going with Ben Smith, Piutau and Julian Savea, rather than the established trio of Israel Dagg, Smith and Savea.
Ben Smith and Richie McCaw were the only regular starters who lined up against the Scots, and Dan Carter probably showed he’s not quite sharp enough yet to be considered in that category.
Even though he looks up to it physically, and his long kicking game does manifest itself in the form of extra space out wide, on that performance he’s still a little bit rusty.
If Hansen is picking his best XV to face the Welsh, right now Aaron Cruden shapes as the logical choice at No 10.
I think Carter will get back there eventually, but Cruden has the inside running now. He’s had a good year, and most importantly his team-mates are used to him, and they operate with confidence when he’s there.
That’s crucial. Barrett is still developing his game management at this level, and Carter needs time in the jersey to regain his composure. But Cruden has shown he can bring the best out in those around him consistently.
The other guy who took my eye against the Scots was Sam Cane. He was very, very good at the breakdown and got through a ton of work in the tight.
A disappointing overall effort against the Scots shows that while the All Blacks have depth in most positions, they wouldn’t want a swathe of injuries. Managing guys’ workload next year is going to have to be done carefully.
Scotland were gritty on defence but didn’t offer a lot of nous or polish on attack. The All Black ‘‘second stringers’’ just haven’t established the combinations to operate under test match pressure yet. So Hansen will go back to his ‘‘starters’’ this week, and I’m sure that will see normal service resumed by a group who should benefit by a lightening of their workload.
There has been comment that the likes of McCaw, Carter and Ben Smith didn’t have strong tests. But I wouldn’t read too much into that for reasons spelt out earlier.
So, what do I want to see this week? Energy and accuracy are top of my list.
The Welsh will be fired up and will fancy their chances of ending their 61-year All Black drought against an outfit that struggled the previous two years in this equivalent fixture.
But the well-rested All Black frontliners should bring the energy this week, and if accuracy comes with it they will finish on a high note.
One of the reasons the All Blacks struggled against Scotland was because there were a lot of inaccurate passes. Part of that’s a timing issue, with guys getting too eager and starting runs too early.
Wales have the same size, passion and grit as the Scots, but come with a little more attacking polish so could pose more problems with ball in hand.