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.
pete
Guest
Right in the money... SBW is a joke in Union
Mike Julz
Guest
Fekitoa and Crotty will be the next Nonu/Smith pairing in the centres, no doubt about that. Ben Smith played centre, I think they might tried him again there next year, with Dagg back at fullback.
Nobody
Guest
Ma'a was the full package. But it was his phenomenal passing game that eventually saw him move to second five. When choosing a replacement for him, you've got to pick on the basis of their distribution skills first, not line-breaking abilities. Those that don't have that need to stay out at 13 until they learn that skill set, if ever, or move to the forwards if they're hard enough. Conrad was the perfect support for Nonu because he had the brain to keep up with Nonu's play. Without him, Nonu broke the line and got isolated because his support hadn't seen it coming and matched his pace, or Nonu threw a fast no-look pass and it went pear-shaped because his support wasn't in position to take it or wasn't expecting it. This happened repeatedly in the super 14, which was why Nonu was considered a liability to many teams. It's fitting that he and Conrad are bowing out together. Don't expect another player like Ma'a Nonu to come along in a hurry.
Jerry
Guest
There's other factors involved, but a major part of Nonu's post 08 renaissance is the fact that he was able to play consistently in the midfield for the Canes once Tana left. With Umaga/Smith/Nonu, they had 3 All Black midfielders and Nonu was generally shoved out to the wing. Consistent play at 12 from 08 onwards would have been a big factor in his more consistent play.
canadiankiwi
Guest
You do realize that Buckman is 98kg- hardly a little bugger (Fekitoa is 1 kg heavier). But agreed, he is brave and tough.
canadiankiwi
Guest
9 A. Smith 10 Sopoaga 11 Osborne 12 Moala 13 Crotty 14 Noholo 15 B. Smith Would be alternative option just as talented and explosive as yours (which I like too).
canadiankiwi
Guest
Scotty Stevenson has tweeted that Slade's fall is not serious and he was walking around freely after practice. Just a media beat up to keep people reading until Cup kicks off.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Tana Umaga at Counties Manukau has stated publicly that due to his lack of height, Jordan Taufua's future is at 7 and that is where he has been playing this ITM Cup for CM. Cannot disagree as Taufua is barely 6 feet but very powerful for his size and very athletic.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Ranger has signed a contract with the Blues for 2016.
canadiankiwi
Guest
After a day to think about it, I think Hansen will stick with the current midfield structure with a physical crashball 12 and distributing 13 for the obvious reason- success. Defenses have evolved enormously since rugby went professional in the 1990s. Every pro club/ franchise and national team have a specialist defense coach. The invention of the rush (blitz) outside- in defense in the early 2000s by London Wasps bamboozled attack structures and made it far more difficult to shift the ball wide on early phases. As the rush defense grew in popularity, teams had to adjust its attacking strategies. Perhaps this is the single greatest reason why teams shifted their big crashball runner in one spot to 12. For example, Ma'a Nonu played 13 his first four seasons for All Blacks (2003-07) and then shifted to 12 in 2008 to present. Either way, most of the NZ centres (Crotty, Fekitoa, Ngatai, Ranger) have played both 12 and 13 for their Super Rugby teams there is flexibility.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
interesting look ahead, but there's that once every four years global tournament thing to worry about first. You could have probably written the same article prior to the 2007 World Cup with no Mauger or McAliater for 2008. Who would have thought that Nonu would be approaching 100 caps and become one of the modern greats? It took him some time to settle into the role at first, bur what an All Black. I never thought I'd rank him over the likes of Tana or Bruce, but I might have to if things go our way at the Cup.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I think what we need to come to terms with is that we are not just going to get a replica replacement for Nonu next year. If we all remember back to his early years in the black jersey he was far from the complete player. It took time for him to progress to the package we see now. Fekitoa has that rawness about him that screams X factor but still needs to complete the package and smooth the edges, that will come with time. In terms of Replacing Conrad Smith i think we are blessed in having Ngatai and Crotty who imo are already complete players, they are ready to fill the gap right now. They will slot in no fuss and provide that steady influence and distribution that will match well with the eplosive style of Fekitoa. These guys will chew up the next few years of All Black minutes carving their own legacy while some of the young talent like Goodhue, Vince Aso, Halaholo, Reiko IoaneTamanivalu continue to make steps in the right direction ready to flood the All Blacks midfield with options before the next WC
Jerry
Guest
"Weve got nothing up here in Auckland, I dont think we have produced an International first five since Foxy and Frano" Nick Evans was pretty good.
Gazzatron
Guest
I wish the Warriors had swapped Laumape for Ranger. I've been telling anyone who would listen (so about 3 people) that Ranger would be outstanding playing inside Manu. He'd be a faster, stronger, harder hitting version of Matai.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Thanks Digger, will catch up and read on the train home tonight. Love the concept and admire the commitment of you all in putting it together - must have been fun in the selection meetings.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Apologies for the lack of responses to some good questions here. Forgot I was on a training course today and only had access via my phone during breaks. Thanks to all for taking the time to read and contribute, no shortage of names being mentioned, however its more the level of performance that screams at a selector (armchair or otherwise) to pick me that is missing for myself. I don't doubt NZ rugby's ability to regenerate and will watch with interest this years ITM cup.
Digby
Roar Guru
Solid game time will help him, get the confidence back. He has the skills in my view, and pace. Time will tell.
Playmaker
Guest
Agreed and a brave little bugger..good foundations.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Procter, DC? I thought his game went backwards after injury and looked a bit out of his depth on his return from injury. Happy to be proven wrong as he impressed before injury.
Digby
Roar Guru
His speed and defence set him apart for me. Has been cursed with his utility value, given time to play in one spot regularly and it would be no surprise to see him as an AB next year.