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Has Andy Ellis had an affair with Steve Hansens wife? A crazy statement, and of course tongue in cheek, but how else can you explain his continued non selection.
Ellis is one of the most consistent players in New Zealand rugby.
Ellis was a key performer during the All Blacks march to the 2011 World Cup, playing a crucial 30 minute cameo as a substitute in the final and showing composure in helping to close down the match in the dying stages.
As he signed off 2011 as a World Cup winner there is no doubt that Ellis would have expected to add to his 26 caps going into the 2012 season.
We are now almost three years on from the World Cup final and Ellis is yet to play his 27th Test. Understandable perhaps if Ellis had been injured, had a form slump or been usurped by some younger talent coming through.
What is strange though is that none of the above have happened, Ellis has been a consistently excellent performer for the Crusaders, remained relatively injury free and it would be hard to argue he has been usurped on performance by any of the youngsters except of course for Aaron Smith.
It’s that last category, young talent, where Ellis seems to have paid the price. After persevering with Piri Weepu in 2012 and initially in 2013, the All Black selectors have obviously chosen to go with young, promising talent, clearly backing Aaron Smith as their number one and putting their faith in the raw talent of Tawera Kerr Barlow and TJ Perenara as his backup.
Of that trio only Aaron Smith can be said to have nailed his chances and established himself as a worthy All Black. Kerr Barlow and Perenara have been given time to develop and grow into the jersey but now two to three years into this development, the clock has to be ticking and it’s about time these two show a return on investment.
There is surely only so much raw potential a player can get by on before results are needed to be seen. Sure Perenara has only played a few Test matches but its not just international rugby where these two need to deliver, consistency in performance to warrant those higher honours now needs to be seen week in week out in Super Rugby.
Both Kerr Barlow and Perenara have been slightly disappointing this year. Inaccuracies in their games persist, performances are inconsistent and neither has yet to learn how to truly organise or dictate a game.
Add in their shaky box kicking which is an absolute fundamental of halfback play and you have to question how comfortable you would be having either of the two youngsters start a World Cup knockout match at this stage if Aaron Smith was injured.
This is not entirely fair on the two up and comers. Both have potential in bucket loads, both are hungry to learn and both have the added ingredient that they are clearly great athletes.
But I just can’t help but think that by neglecting Andy Ellis, the All Blacks are ignoring a player who at only 30 is still at the peak of his career and unlike the two aforementioned players, already has a developed and rounded game to call upon.
Ellis is a proven Test player, a World Cup winner and Hansen and co could do a lot worse than reintroduce him to the setup, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. He is off to Japan in the off season but has recommitted to the Crusaders for 2015 and obviously still harbours dreams of going to his third World Cup.
A steady head, accurate game and experience, sounds to me like exactly the player you want in a World Cup campaign.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.