Picking the first All Blacks 23 of the year
There will be new All Blacks this year, particularly if the Hurricanes maintain their form, but how many will we see in the All Blacks’ first test of the year, against England in Dunedin on July 6?
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson is a unique character, but he’s also a pragmatist. England finished the Six Nations strongly, beating Ireland and only being denied at the death by France in Lyon.
Two of their teams, Northampton and Harlequins, are through to the semifinals of the Champions Cup, led by England No 10s Marcus Smith and Fin Smith. So, they are to be treated with respect.
As a result, Robertson will likely lean on his most experienced players for the two tests against England in July, with the game against Fiji in San Diego on July 20 (NZ time) looking like the best chance to usher in any newcomers.
Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett should come straight back into contention after their season in Japan, especially as both look set to miss out on the playoffs in Japan Rugby League One.
Will Jordan’s injury has opened up the All Blacks No 15 jersey, and while Ruben Love is making a charge, he might be best served with a gradual introduction.
By contrast, it’s harder to make a case for Sam Cane at present, as he isn’t playing for Suntory Sungoliath at the moment, and his injury status is unknown.
But, if there is to be a newcomer against England, Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo is making a strong case.
He’s not the finished product, but he’s probably the most compelling power athlete among New Zealand outside backs at the minute.
He doesn’t need much room to work in, and he would take his place in No 11 in Stuff’s All Blacks matchday squad for the opener against England.
15 Beauden Barrett (Blues): The All Blacks need his experience with Will Jordan out of commission.
14 Mark Tele’a (Blues): Picks himself. The
Blues’ new style doesn’t necessarily favour wingers but Tele’a has shown he is world class.
13 Rieko Ioane (Blues): Billy Proctor is pushing him hard, but Ioane deserves first crack.
12 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes): One of the first names on the team sheet these days. 11 Kini Naholo (Hurricanes): A debut under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium would be the perfect place to start. 10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs): He’s been outstanding for the Chiefs: at the top of his game now.
9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes): He’s experienced, yes, but this is really a form selection based on his strong return from injury.
8 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes): Won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in the No 8 jersey, so why move him now?
7 Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders): He would provide serious workrate and edge to the All Blacks pack. Old school.
6 Samipeni Finau (Chiefs): He leads Super Rugby Pacific in dominant tackles, with 10 in seven games. Built for test rugby.
5 Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs): He’s doing enough to keep ahead of his rivals in the tight locking race.
4 Scott Barrett (capt, Crusaders): The premier lock in New Zealand, and one of the obvious choices as captain.
3 Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes): The rock in the Hurricanes scrum. Discipline issues of a few years ago also seem a distant memory.
2 Codie Taylor (Crusaders): A toss of the coin with the rampaging Asafo Aumua, but Taylor’s 85 caps get the nod.
1 Ethan de Groot (Highlanders): Not at his best yet in a struggling Highlanders side, but has credit in the bank after three outstanding games at the Rugby World Cup from the quarterfinals onwards.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Fletcher Newell (Crusaders), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Cortez Ratima (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), Sevu Reece (Crusaders)