The most notable aspect of the 32-man All Blacks squad named this morning to face Wales was what was missing – a third halfback.
It appears the No.9 back-up back-up has been sacrificed to accommodate pint-sized fullback whizz kid Damian McKenzie, getting his first All Black call-up as the third custodian, behind vice captain Ben Smith and the resurgent Israel Dagg.
In the grand scheme it’s no big deal, because the All Blacks can easily whistle up injury cover in a home tour.
But it is surprising that the second halfback chosen is Tawera Kerr-Barlow – who has hardly been sighted this year for the Chiefs due to injury and the form of little dynamo Brad Weber.
So what has TJ Perenara done to peeve off Steve Hansen and his fellow selectors Ian Foster and Grant Fox?
Surely it’s something off the track, because on it he’s returned to the sort of combative form that saw him regularly in as the All Blacks No.2 No.9, behind Aaron Smith, until he was overtaken by Kerr-Barlow at the 2015 World Cup.
I gave him a points decision against Smith when they matched up on Friday in the Hurricanes’ last-gasp win over the Highlanders.
Perenara is a more physical, bustling type of halfback than Smith the master tactician, distributor and lightning sniper. And that was exactly what was needed for Perenara to get his team across the line in a tight one in messy conditions.
Kerr-Barlow is in the Perenara mould and did earn his ascension up the pecking order as the Hurricane suffered a form dip at the World Cup. But how would the All Black selectors have any idea what Kerr-Barlow’s form is like now – he hasn’t been playing.
There was also just two specialist wingers named: Julian Savea – who has still to transition into top gear – and the Highlanders’ Waisake Naholo.
This enables a return to four locks, after only three were taken to the UK for the successful 2015 World Cup campaign, with the return of the immensely capable and powerful Blues second rower Patrick Tuipulotu.
And finally the ‘Ardie Savea project’ has moved into the next phase, with the brilliance of the Canes’ openside simply demanding inclusion years after he was taken on an end of year tour in an uncapped ‘watch and learn’ capacity.
Also great to see the talents of high-skill, old-school Highlanders No.6 Elliot Dixon finally recognised, along with his No.8 mate Liam Squire, whose willingness to throw his considerable weight into the collision zone has clearly impressed the selectors.
McKenzie, Ardie Savea, Squire and Dixon join Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and line-breaking Chiefs midfielder Seta Tamanivalu as the six new caps in the squad.
Perenara can take some consolation having been named as injury cover, alongside uncapped Highlanders workaholic lock Tom Franklin.
All Blacks squad to face Wales
Props: Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Dane Coles.
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read (c), Elliot Dixon, Jerome Kaino, Liam Squire.
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
Five-eighths: Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga.
Midfield: Charlie Ngatai, Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Seta Temanivalu.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Damian McKenzie, Julian Savea, Waisake Naholo.
wardad
Guest
Is it just me that thinks TJ is still a wee bit flakey at times ? TKB had a pretty fair sort of game against France I reckon....
ken
Guest
Every Kiwi has 6 different team jerseys in their cupboard...Kiwis are the biggest bandwagon supporters in rugby.. ( Outside of NSW )
ken
Guest
correct
Phantom
Roar Rookie
The Chiefs certainly lived up to those accolades against the Tahs.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
To me TJP is a plan B type player who can change the type of game when on rare occasions Plan A is not working. Think back to RWC quarterfinal in Cardiff. Where was the change of tactic. The bench needs to include some of those players as when Plan A is not working it is hopeless substituting starting players with benchies who perpetuate Plan A. To continue to do more of the same and expect different results=insanity.
Crikey
Guest
It's that risk and reward stuff they play. High risk, high reward. I think they all play like that in the Canes.
Crikey
Guest
That would have to be from Fox. Any interview you listen to he goes on and on and it just feels like he is talking out of school. I'm surprised they let him talk to the media, imagine what he is like in private. I heard through a short grapevine that Willie Apiata gave Perenara huge accolades in front of the team in the sheds after the World Cup Final. That out of all the guys he would have Perenara next to him in combat. That is pretty massive. The guy is SAS and a VC. Tells me that Perenara must be a massive team man. The canes and ABs play very different styles and he is used completely different to how the ABs play. Smith just passes for the ABs and passes for the Highlanders.......no adapting needed. Boring but same same in game plan for him I guess. Chiefs style is the same. I am a Ellis fan however lol. No way Weber is better than him.
Crikey
Guest
Lol. You need to watch Smith. Perenara is just a normal hb. Smith is all kinds of crazy, yelling at his team mates, screaming at the red, stomping his feet etc. I was appalled on Friday night.
Crikey
Guest
Assume you watched Aaron Smiths abuse of the referee on Friday? Perenara does nothing more than other HBs do. They've all got their hands up asking questions.
Crikey
Guest
Won't be off field. He's the hardest working most disciplined athlete going.
Crikey
Guest
Yeah all 4 minutes at a time. He's not a magician! I find these statements ridiculous, what can anyone do in that small space of time?
lassitude
Guest
Actually Webber wasn't that flash when playing for the BaaBaas agin the Maori last year - at any part of his game really. They subbed on Drummond quite early (no injury sub) and there was an immediate difference.
Not Bothered
Guest
Duuuh because I heard its because duuuh Cheika doesnt like QLDers because duuuhhh Im like duuhhh Im a real thinker. Personally I think that its a conspiracy that Cheika wont pick players that I like. Sure Im completely irrational and biased towards QLD and I hate NSW but Cheika doesnt pick my favs because hes the biased one.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
:) :
ken
Guest
He is back in town champ and will sign with the REDS, and he didn't pick him last year when he was available ... Why is that..??
John R
Roar Guru
Why are you having a go at the Hurricanes? Ridiculous post.
ClarkeG
Guest
fair enough
Old Bugger
Guest
Yeah - perhaps he concentrated too much on his own game rather than the game, the coach wanted him to play hence, what I consider....."what he hasn't done...." Same, same mate.
Not Bothered
Guest
I dont think 1 game outweighs 50 just because its recent.
Not Bothered
Guest
The Canes have supporters? Why?