Bench to make its mark
Everywhere the All Blacks trek in London this week their depth is overwhelmingly obvious.
As they roll out a series of players each day for promotional and media commitments, the quality of their full 31-man squad is inescapable.
Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett and Sam Cane are just three of their supremely talented individuals who could walk into any number of international teams at this World Cup.
None, though, are expected to crack the All Blacks starting team for their opening match against Argentina on Monday (NZT).
What England would give for a player of Williams’ ability in their midfield. While Stuart Lancaster takes a punt on Sam Burgess, the All Blacks already have a much superior league convert in reserve, unable to force his way past the record-breaking pairing of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith but still of immense value.
What Australia, Wales or France would give for a first fiveeighth with Barrett’s explosive running game and attacking class.
That depth gives the All Blacks a potent bench, one that has proved defining in many tight, tense test matches over the past four years. One that sets them apart. Injecting alternatives from the bench doesn’t always work. Sometimes, in fact, it can have an adverse effect with cohesion lost as substitutes try too hard. This is especially true when they are not nearly of the same standard as those who started.
Not so with the All Blacks. Invariably, the bench allows them to find another gear. The other side of that is they can, by and large, absorb casualties with minimal disruption.
In recent times, Springboks come matching that depth.
‘‘We’ve seen more and more at only close the
to international and Super Rugby the difference a good bench can make,’’ Cane said. ‘‘Having players that come on and don’t just stay at the same level but actually lift the performance of the team is massive. No doubt our selectors will be looking for players to do that.
‘‘In my situation hopefully I can put my hand up for a spot like that. We know that test match footy at that fast pace, fast intensity, that last 20 minutes if you can bring on some guys with fresh legs it can make all the difference.’’
Such a mindset from Cane is revealing. Any player at any level wants to start and contribute for as long as possible but he clearly recognises his role and is committed to it. For the first two weeks, at least, the All Blacks won’t have any issues managing frustrations about lack of game-time. With a four-day turnaround looming between the Pumas and Namibia, everyone will get on the pitch.
‘‘Hopefully that’s the way,’’ Barrett said. ‘‘Early on in the tournament you want to keep everyone fresh and give everyone an opportunity. It’s great to have that competition within the squad. Within these pool games there might be rotating. We have to use all of our squad if we want to perform at this tournament. The pressure we have on each other in all positions is great.’’ Just when it seemed the long countdown to the World Cup would send everyone to sleep, circumstances took an unexpectedly lively turn in London on Tuesday when World Rugby boss Brett Gosper waved off suggestions that the Pacific Island nations get a raw deal from his organisation.
Move along, move along. No problems there, boys and girls. Everyone is happy.
Gosper presents himself well; a successful executive from the world of advertising, he is a confident fellow with an immaculate head of hair and snappy suit. Taking the stage at the Twickenham media centre he looked as pleased as punch.
With just days remaining before England meet Fiji at a soldout Twickenham, Gosper declared ticket sales were healthy, commercial revenues had grown about 60 per cent on the last World Cup and World Rugby expects to make a profit in excess of £150 million ($NZ362m).
Then came a couple of curly questions about whether World Rugby should be doing more to help the 10 tier-two nations. Gosper replied they were doing plenty already: they had invested £53m in those unions over the last four years – of which £16m was directed towards Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
Those are impressive numbers. Yet something is still out of whack. Because the Pacific Islanders clearly still need help.
One major concern is there have been strong allegations that European clubs tell the Pacific Island players they will only offer them a contract if they agree to not represent their country at the World Cup.
When asked about this, Gosper took the ostrich head-in-the-sand approach. ‘‘We don’t believe that clubs are holding the players,’’ he said. ‘‘We have not had any cases brought to our attention where clubs are holding the players and if that is the case we are very successful at changing the situation. If you have any information that we don’t, you are very welcome to forward it.’’
Thanks chief! You would assume Gosper and his crew would have already gathered their own intelligence on this issue.
In fact, Samoan prop Census Johnson has already stated players have been told no club contract would be offered unless they sacrificed their test jersey. Former Samoan lock Daniel Leo has also said he was pressured to choose between club and country.
International Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol says World Rugby could do more by offering to compensate clubs, who could then release players to represent their country.
When this was put to Gosper, he said that was not his organisation’s role. Great. No elephants in this room. Move on, nothing to see here.