Selection quandaries for ailing All Blacks
The All Blacks will reveal their first team of the year today. Coach Ian Foster, who is in isolation after testing positive to Covid-19, has big calls to make for the first test of the series against
Ireland in Auckland on Saturday.
Who gets the All Blacks No 6 jersey?
This is arguably the biggest selection decision of the week after three Covid-19 cases among the backs narrowed Foster’s options in the midfield and back three. Akira Ioane is technically the incumbent as he started in the 40-25 loss to France in November but his form hasn’t been great.
Foster has talked about using Dalton Papalii at No 6 but that compromises the lineout. Pita Gus Sowakula is an option but lacks experience at test level. Does that open the door for Tupou Vaa’i or even Scott Barrett? If Foster goes for Vaa’i or Barrett’s size it will say a lot about the game plan for Saturday.
How many debutants will get the nod?
At least one – Covid-19 positives to David Havili, Jack Goodhue and Will Jordan have likely opened the door for the Crusaders’ Leicester Fainga’nuku. The big No 11 is a brilliant ball carrier with a deadly left-arm offloading game and Caleb Clarke’s recent hamstring issue further boosts Fainga’anuku’s chances.
However, there may not be too many more: the All Blacks’ modus operandi has always been to bring new players through slowly.
Who will be the impact halfback?
The Blues’ Finlay Christie has the inside running to take the bench spot if Aaron Smith has overcome a groin issue to claim the No 9 jersey.
Christie has had a taste of test rugby, whereas the Highlanders’ Folau Fakatava is still new to the game.
Fakatava was overwhelmed when he received his All Blacks callup and although he’s a naturally confident player, it does take time for newcomers to get used to the pressure and demands of the All Blacks.
Is it too early for former Warrior Roger TuivasaSheck?
Probably, although he could still find himself on the bench due to necessity. That depends on Jordie Barrett and whether the All Blacks think he is the best cover for No 12.
Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea is the frontrunner to start in that jersey, but if he were to go down early the All Blacks don’t have anyone who has played in the position at test level. RTS, therefore, is an option for a bench role. However, Barrett may have done enough for the Hurricanes at No 12 to be seen as the next best option, with Caleb Clarke getting the third spot on the bench among the backline reserves.
What’s the plan to finally conquer defensive line speed?
Go back to the first question. If the All Blacks go for a big man at No 6 it signals a desire to get the gainline dominance that has been so hard to consistently come by for the past three or four years.
Captain Sam Cane has already put the pack on notice that he wants them to win the collisions, so the All Blacks are clearly intending to go the direct route against an Ireland side at the end of their long season. But the All Blacks have been saying something similar for the past few years: the challenge is to deliver on that promise.