All Blacks backline considerations
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie faces immediate decisions regarding the backline, particularly at fullback, as the first Test of the year approaches. The short-term availability of Will Jordan is uncertain due to a calf injury recurrence, which he sustained during the Crusaders‘ victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch on May 22. Jordan has not played since re-aggravating the injury, having missed further Super Rugby matches.
Jordan is the sole specialist fullback within the 34-man squad. However, other players possess experience in the position, including first-fives Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, and Ruben Love, along with Hurricanes outside back Josh Moorby. If selections were based purely on recent form, Love might be considered at number 10 and Moorby at fullback, with either McKenzie or Barrett on the bench. Love, who has played five Tests, has shown strong form with the Super Rugby champions, while Moorby is less experienced.
McKenzie is seen as a more consistent option than Barrett for the fullback role this season. Another potential solution for Rennie, especially with the tour of South Africa nearing, involves shifting Jordie Barrett to fullback. One of the All Blacks‘ challenges last year was their inconsistency and difficulty in securing high balls, an area where Jordie Barrett is considered proficient.
Moving Jordie Barrett from the midfield, where he has primarily played at number 12 since 2023, presents its own considerations. He is an integral part of the midfield, but there appear to be advantages to his versatility. Neither Beauden Barrett nor McKenzie consistently offer the same level of security at fullback. Quinn Tupaea, recently named Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, could provide a ready-made alternative at second-five, potentially forming a midfield partnership with Billy Proctor or Anton Lienert-Brown, who has returned from a Japanese sabbatical.
Fly-half debate intensifies
The fly-half position has also been a subject of discussion among former All Blacks. Following the Super Rugby Pacific final, some believe the decision for the starting fly-half in the Nations Championship has become clearer. In the final, Ruben Love of the Hurricanes delivered a strong performance against Damian McKenzie‘s Chiefs, with the Hurricanes winning 60-5 at Hnry Stadium.
Stephen Donald described Love’s performance as his best in the number 10 jersey, noting his composure and maturity, particularly under pressure. Mils Muliaina highlighted Love’s selflessness, prioritising the team over individual ambitions. Jeff Wilson has endorsed Love to start the All Blacks‘ first Test against France, noting that McKenzie had his least effective game of the season on the biggest stage, despite a generally good year.
While Love’s performance has garnered significant attention, Muliaina suggested that McKenzie could be an option at fullback. He noted that McKenzie’s style of play, sweeping around later, could fit well with the All Blacks‘ strategy, similar to how the Hurricanes have operated. This approach could simplify Rennie’s decision-making process regarding the starting fly-half.
Former All Blacks Justin Marshall and Kieran Read do not consider Beauden Barrett a contender for the fly-half jersey in the upcoming Nations Championship. They both support either Love or McKenzie for the number 10 shirt in the mid-year Tests. Marshall emphasised the importance of selecting a consistent fly-half and sticking with that choice, drawing a contrast with previous coaching tenures where the fly-half role saw frequent changes, impacting team continuity.
Read acknowledged that while the Super Rugby final might influence the decision, it is difficult to base such a significant choice on a single game. He stressed that the fly-half’s role is crucial in determining the game’s outcome. Marshall agreed, highlighting Love’s development within the successful Hurricanes team, which scored over 100 tries in a season. He noted that while McKenzie has more experience at the All Blacks level, Love has demonstrated significant maturity in leading the Hurricanes.
Marshall advocates for Rennie to commit to one player for the full 80 minutes at fly-half, rather than selecting someone who can also cover other positions like fullback or wing. He believes that great fly-halves typically hold their position for the entire match, only being replaced due to injury or extreme fatigue. Read supported this view, suggesting that too much emphasis might be placed on bench versatility rather than a player’s ability to complete a full game in their primary role, a practice Love has maintained in most of his recent matches.
A further challenge for Rennie and the selectors is that few of the first-fives, apart from Beauden Barrett, have played extensively at fullback this year, and Barrett himself has faced injury and form issues throughout the season. The upcoming Tests against France, Italy, and Ireland will require a compromise that Rennie is comfortable with.
The All Blacks squad includes four new names, with Savea as captain.
Source: 1news.co.nz
