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Who will fill the gap on the All Blacks’ left side to replace Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams next year?
Steve Hansen has done a commendable job in succession planning for players departing New Zealand rugby this year so the expected post-World Cup exodus doesn’t overly expose the All Blacks.
Stalwarts and legends of the New Zealand game such as Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock will be missed but their departures won’t leave the team in as deep a hole as once feared.
However there is one position conspicuous by the absence of credible alternatives to the incumbents – second five.
Nonu has dominated his position since starting as a team regular in 2008. He has been nigh indestructible throughout his Test career – missing only three Tests since 2008 due to injury – and playing in a position that is high impact on attack and defence.
Sonny Bill Williams has had to play second fiddle to Nonu throughout his rugby Test career. His emergence in 2011 as a strong alternative and counterpoint to Nonu’s power game appealed to many New Zealand judges.
But there is an overriding feeling of a golden opportunity lost when Williams returned to rugby league in 2013 after finally delivering on all his promise and athletic ability with the Chiefs during their debut Super Rugby title win in 2012.
Now both these players will be unavailable for the All Blacks next year, so who has emerged as the frontrunners to take their spot from this year’s Super Rugby competition?
Ryan Crotty? Richard Buckman? Charlie Ngatai? David Moala?
I have to admit I struggled to think of strong contenders from this year’s Super Rugby and it is to be hoped that a clearer picture will materialise next year.
Maybe a candidate will emerge from the New Zealand Under-20s team in this year’s ITM Cup, perhaps the return of Rene Ranger could plug the gap or another relative unknown emerges like Seta Tamanivalu did last season.
New Zealand rugby fans have been fortunate and reassured over the past seven years that when the All Blacks have been selected, the names Nonu and Smith have patrolled and controlled the All Blacks midfield.
As Joni Mitchell famously wrote “don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”, and it will be strange to not hear those names or see those faces running out on to the pitch.
Finding a replacement for Nonu looms as the most difficult challenge for Steve Hansen in rebuilding the side after 2015.
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.