Team of the week: Millar kicks on for Highlanders
So, New Zealand rugby can still produce a No 10 who pulls the opposition apart with his kicking game.
Since 2016, when Beauden Barrett grabbed the All Blacks No 10 jersey, a certain type of playmaker has been in vogue in New Zealand.
Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Damian McKenzie have tactical parts to their game, but first and foremost they are runners. That has produced some great rugby, but no Rugby World Cup wins and a string of losses against well-organised and physical test defences.
The All Blacks have lacked a Plan B, largely because they have lacked the personnel to execute one.
Highlanders No 10 Cameron Millar showed the benefit of having five-eighth with a proper boot in their gritty 28-17 win against Moana Pasifika on Saturday.
His ability to find space and relieve pressure with an array of kicks, both long and short, was a key factor in the rain-drenched win.
It’s too early to say if Millar can become Scott Robertson’s Plan B in this World Cup cycle. At just 21, he’s got lots of ups and downs ahead of him, but his performance in Tonga was the best this year from the next generation of New Zealand No 10s.
Taha Kemara has been demoted at the Crusaders, while the Blues are taking a longer-term view with Lucas Cashmore.
The Chiefs’ impressive Josh Jacomb is two years older than Millar, but coach Clayton McMillan is also taking a patient approach and the Taranaki playmaker hasn’t been seen since the Chiefs lost to the Crusaders in round six.
That has left the stage to Millar, and he wins selection in Stuff’s team of the week with that mature display in Nuku'alofa.
15 Ruben Love (Hurricanes): A coin toss between Love and the Chiefs’ Etene Nanai-Seturo, as both showed their elite footwork and acceleration.
14 Mark Tele’a (Blues): The Blues’ best against the Rebels as he grabbed two tries and ran for more than 140 metres.
13 Billy Proctor (Hurricanes): Pushed his All Blacks case again with an influential display against the Waratahs.
12 Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs): The Chiefs aren’t short of quality midfield options, but Tupaea produced a timely reminder of his power game against the Force.
11 Daniel Rona (Chiefs): Three tries against the Force, and developing into one of the country’s smartest and versatile backs.
10 Cameron Millar (Highlanders):
Played a role in the Highlanders’ three tries and kicked well in general play and off the tee.
9 Cortez Ratima (Chiefs): He’s starting to fire at the Chiefs on the back of some consistent game time in the No 9 jersey.
8 Billy Harmon (Highlanders): Eleven runs for 29 hard metres in a Tongan downpour from the ‘follow me’ captain.
7 Peter Lakai (Hurricanes): Ran some great lines against the Waratahs and was damaging on defence.
6 Devan Flanders (Hurricanes): It’s hard to remember the No 6 having a bad game, and he carried strongly against the Waratahs.
5 Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs): Dominant against the Force, and his importance grows by the week due to Scott Barrett’s injury issues.
4 Mitch Dunshea (Highlanders): Has added old-school grit and lineout IQ to the Highlanders in past two weeks, and put pressure on the Moana Pasifika throw.
3 Fletcher Newell (Crusaders): The mobile prop has hit some good form in recent weeks, regardless of the Crusaders’ struggles.
2 Ricky Riccitelli (Blues): Stern Vern Cotter’s men were not at their best against the Rebels, but Riccitelli continues to deliver hard-nosed performances each week. Made 16 tackles.
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hurricanes):
The Hawke’s Bay strongman made sure the Hurricanes scrum kept going forward, and was also good around the field.