All Blacks coach Steve Hansen signing off on Piri Weepu’s pink slip on Sunday completes the full changing of the guard from old to new at number nine.
The three halfbacks chosen are all relatively young and, barring significant loss of form or sudden emergence of an outstanding new contender, will carry this team through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Statistically, Aaron Smith, aged 24, has 15 Test caps, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22, has four Test caps and TJ Perenara, 21, has yet to be capped.
Weepu, by contrast, is rising 30, and has played 71 Tests. He has battled form and fitness issues at various times in his career, but performed strongly at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and will be remembered as a successful and worthy All Black.
Ironically, this 2013 Super Rugby season was one of his best, playing an integral leadership role in the development of Sir John Kirwan’s Blues side.
Even if he is never seen again in a black jersey, one suspects that he still has plenty to offer the Blues as they seek to convert their improvement into a finals appearance in 2014.
71 Tests is a lot to take out of any international squad, and this poses valid questions for the All Blacks.
Certainly, with an eye to the 2015 Rugby World Cup the timing is good, and there is ample time for all three players to develop their game further and gain the experience necessary to serve them right through a Rugby World Cup campaign.
The All Blacks however, despite overseas press and supporters claiming otherwise, have never been about focusing on the Rugby World Cup only.
It is important for the All Blacks to win every single Test match, every single series, and no true New Zealand rugby player or follower is ever satisfied with a loss on the basis that it is in the interests of building for the future.
It is this factor, as much as any other, which accounts for the All Blacks’ continued success over the years. Hence there is pressure on all three players to perform now.
Given that the Wallabies’ one true world-class player at present is halfback Will Genia, does this current crop of All Black number nines represent a comparative weak point for Australia, South Africa and Argentina to exploit in the upcoming Rugby Championship?
There is a case to say that it does.
Aaron Smith burst onto the test scene in last year’s domestic series vs Ireland, and immediately impressed with his ability to sweep long, fast passes off the ground to his outside backs, as well as using his pace as a back-up support player, similar in many respects to the excellent Graeme Bachop.
He also showed strength and a nose for the try-line to from in close.
On the debit side, he looks to be an inferior player behind a pack which isn’t on the front foot, and can be easily flustered by fringing forwards preventing him from clean access to the ball.
Not that he has this flaw to himself of course, no halfback anywhere likes sloppy, back-foot ball, but great halfbacks – Welsh wizard Gareth Edwards springs to mind foremost – have an ability to stay composed at all times, and turn bad ball into good.
Kerr-Barlow and Perenara are often bracketed together, coming through the system at a similar age, together representing the future.
Both have experienced serious injury, Kerr-Barlow missing six weeks due to a fractured jaw earlier this year, and Perenara missing the latter half of 2012 due to a nasty broken ankle.
They are similarly combative – tough defenders who punch well above their weight, who like to play an aggressive, in-close defensive role as opposed to someone like Genia for example who is better known as a sweeper or cover defender.
But are they good enough to carry the hopes of All Blacks supporters with them?
Neither have a pass to match that of Smith, and only time on the park will tell if they have the composure to lead their team through the tough times which inevitably arise during intense Test matches.
Perenara appeals as the most naturally gifted athlete of all three, however this may be a curse as much as it is a blessing.
Based on this year’s performances for the Hurricanes he is guilty of consistently overplaying his hand, over-kicking and taking on too much himself, when a better alternative is to keep disciplined and let the number 10 control the game from flyhalf.
Self-confidence and self-belief is essential for success at international level, but when this outweighs respect for hard-won possession and for the opponent, then this quickly becomes a negative.
No doubt Steve Hansen believes that the All Blacks environment will serve to temper Perenara’s impetuosity in this regard and eventually provide a suitable balance to his game.
Kerr-Barlow too has much to improve on. In Saturday’s Super Rugby final he was flustered twice in the first half by loitering forwards, Steven Moore on the first occasion and George Smith the second.
The first breakout almost lead to a try, and the second one actually did so.
While referee Craig Joubert should have penalised Moore and could well have penalized Smith, All Blacks supporters will be hoping that Kerr-Barlow learns from both mistakes, and keeps a narrower focus for when a match situation demands it.
Post-final he was compared by some unfavourably to his replacement Augustine Pulu, although to be fair, this was more a function of Dave Rennie outcoaching Jake White in how to use bench players to telling effect against a tiring defence.
As an aside, Kerr-Barlow is perhaps the only current international who could seek dual nationality under the ‘mother-son’ rule, if such a rule existed.
Born in Melbourne, his mother Gail represented Australia in women’s rugby in the mid 1990s.
But for now, the die has been cast and Kerr-Barlow will stay in black, currently ranked behind Smith and ahead of Perenara.
All three will see plenty of game time in the Rugby Championship and it will be fascinating to see how they perform during the series.
It is likely that all three opposition coaches have already identified inexperience at halfback as a possible area to exploit against the All Blacks, and all of the halfbacks can expect to be fully tested in every match.
On the other hand, this represents a wonderful opportunity for each of them – all talented footballers – to take a huge step forward and cement a lengthy All Blacks career.
Rassie
Roar Rookie
Totally agree. Considering how they hate losing
Rassie
Roar Rookie
AB don't value their 9 like SA and Australia do. They value the 10 more and he takes the responsibility.
Ra
Guest
Yeah he's a pocket battleship all right; lots of power in a little body - reminds me of a young stacey jones
Lord Bledisloe
Guest
haha agreed
Garth
Guest
+1. There are no 'friendlies' in Test Rugby.
Ra
Guest
Good stuff Atlas, but they still lay a pretty strong claim to him up here in the (Northern) Territory. He played schoolboy rugby for the Palmerston Crocs (short for crocodile) and schoolboy league for Palmerston Raiders, according to local Territorians. They are pretty proud of their exported sporting talent up in this outback corner of Aussie. For our Kiwi contributors, amongst those recent sporting talents are the likes of Olympic hockey gold and bronze medallists Palmerston's Des Abbott and Joel Carroll; rugby league's Will Chambers; Benny Barber and James McManus, women's rugby speedster Bo de la Cruz; cycling's Cadel Evans and a host top AFL players that most Kiwis couldn't care less about but who are superstars in their chosen sport. Most Kiwis would not know that the Northern Territory is five times the size of Aotearoa NZ, with the population of Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) so it can be a bit of travel to practices for rep players, and Darwin City club involve games against sides in Katherine and Jabiru, 345km and 250km away. And where humans and crocodiles populations are 2:1 ratio. And when Tawera took a flying trip home to visit his mum in June last year, he made a point of visiting is old stomping grounds at Moulden Park, the home of the Palmerston Crocs - check out their face book page and see the fantastic mutual respect there is up here between the local territorians and the kid from Tainui - he piko he taniwha. No wonder the Aussies think he looks good in Gold
Ra
Guest
He had a great season, what a great buy for the Victorians, and equally great loss for the Chiefs
Wardad
Guest
Spot on about how every game counts to the ABs and their fans, I think this " Preparing for 2015" and " we will take this loss on board as a learning experience " rubbish is just that ,disingenuous rubbish .Its called "Test" Rugby after all .
Kiwi Kid
Guest
Perenara qualifies for the Wallabies as well with his Paternal Grandmother born in Broken Hill.
dwayne
Guest
TJ and Smith. Barlow is error ridden and does some crazy stuff. TJ will become the world best quickly. He's a real abrasive fella. took out two forwards last year with mean shoulder charges. Yeah illegal, but I likes his mongrel.
Jereme Lane
Roar Guru
any of the 3 are better than piri KFC weepu!! Weepu was the heart and soul of that All Black team of the last 5 years off the pitch but always struggled on it. the one exception was the '11 semi against us when he played an absolute ripper. his flaws are though that he has a really bad pass, is too slow to the breakdown and isn't decisive in his choices, often running before deciding that running probably wasn't the best option and then passing it back. all 3 mentioned have potential but i don't think we'll see too much flashy stuff from them this year. why would you when you have the best game manager in the world (maybe of all time?) in carter at fly half. as lomu would say, "just give me the ball bro".
deanB
Guest
Looks like Smith is there for the structured portion of a test, giving Carter smooth service and time to control the game. Then when Hansen senses looseness in the opposition, he will change to a more physical halfback who can burst through tiring fringe defence. Nothing new there, but yet another task for the over burdened Genia to deal with.
DC-NZ
Guest
Bring back Dave Loveridge. ho ho....three way battle on here, TJ Perenera is the man...
Lord Bledisloe
Guest
I think we all agree that Genia is the best 9 in the world but i definetly dont see that as much of an advantage. The all blacks have a player like Smith who offers Carter swift service which gets us over the advantage line, especially with Nonu running off his shoulder. Genia on the other hand tends to run accross field and probe at holes, often having a go on his own. Australia needs this from Genia because they dont have a midfield that can penetrate the line. So in summary, Smiths service suits the AB's back line perfectly, with the likes of a TKB or a perinara coming on late in the match to play a genia style game with more running at tired defenders. AB'S are spoilt for choice at 9, theese guys are far from their best where i think we have seen the best of genia!
Hurl
Guest
I didn't understand a word of that
atlas
Guest
Each year the rugby unions have the option to change which is their 'second national XV' which 'captures' those players forever ie cannot play for another country Why more/all don't use their U-20 is beyond me, esp NZ who appear not to have bothered to do anything since the Junior ABs don't play anymore Fiji don't use U-20 (Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Junior Rasolea former Fiji U-20 players) For 2013 Three countries have U-20 as their 2nd side - South Africa, Wales, France 'A' team - Scotland, Japan, Canada, Romania, Samoa, Tonga, Australia, Fiji Warriors NZ - Junior All Blacks (who last played 2009 Pacific Nations Cup) Japan - Junior Japan Argentina - Jaguars/Pampas XV (in Vodacom Cup) England - Saxons Ireland - Wolfhounds
ohtani's jacket
Guest
TKB hasn't looked good in any of his test appearances. His passing is labored and he regularly makes errors. He was having a good season this year until he broke his jaw.
chuck
Guest
Hansen is no mug after seen two Australian top of their conference pack get monstered one from Australian coach chiefs and crusaders the new scrum laws will be awesome when Afeaki came on Scot Sio night mare arrived he out mussel led Sio we saw Queensland out played and coached by the incoming Australian coach where Will Genia and Cooper had no penetration to get over the advantage its about getting the right tools too play the style of game you want ,half back is not a issue , its about getting that pack playing high octane rugby and everything will fall in place, like I said Hansen is no mug
Loosehead
Guest
Mealamu tends to lead it if Piri isn't there...if he isn't there Messam I guess Piri does it the best in recent memory... it will be a massive loss.
moaman
Guest
Guys.....calling the selection of these 3 a "weakness" is a genuine misnomer in my book. We need to look at the style of play the ABs are hoping to achieve--probably a continuation and (hopefully) expansion of how they played last season.Aaron Smith set the blueprint--a nippy,mobile and fit halfback who arrived on time at most,if not,every ruck and got quick ball out again. If Hansen and co wanted to emulate Genia's style eg--that is...trot up to the ruck,push the protruding ball back in with his foot and look around waiting for pods to form....well,they might have persisted with Weepu. Now this sounds a bit harsh on Piri--whom I have a lot of time for--but Ithink it merely reflects the 'style' the coaches want to implement. The contrasting methods we saw in the Super Final to be played out again on the bigger stage.Mouth-watering prospect.