Since Jerome Kaino’s last Test against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, the All Blacks have used a series of different men in the No.6 jumper.
New Zealand have started Liam Squire 15 times, Vaea Fifita eight times and Shannon Frizell four times in that position. No-one has cemented the role.
Here are Steve Hansen’s six options for the No.6 jersey for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Shannon Frizell
Based on current Super Rugby form, Frizell should start at blindside flanker for the first Test of the year against the Pumas.
After making his international debut in 2018, Frizell is developing into an international-quality loose forward.
He has scored six tries in Super Rugby and is proving hard to contain close to the try-line. His tackle success is 92 per cent, only missing ten tackles in nine games.
The majority of these tackles are having impact on the opposition and his presence is being felt. This all goes well with his natural athletic ability.
Liam Squire
The 28-year-old has not taken the field this year, battling a medial ligament injury in his knee. This will put Squire in a race to be selected in 2019.
He has signed a two-year deal with Japanese club NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes for next season so he will be hoping to get back on the field this year.
If he can get fit for the back end of Super Rugby, Hansen generally shows loyalty to injured squad members, which will aid his chances.
He will need to lay down the marker physically in defence and range wide in attack to rediscover the form that saw him first selected in 2016.
Vaea Fifita
The athletic flanker/lock is a long-striding ball-carrier. He will benefit from playing the majority of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign on the side of the scrum. He has made 284 metres across eight games.
Last year, Fifita missed All Blacks selection due to playing lock for the Hurricanes. This affected his ability to be involved in the open to display his great speed as he was involved in the tight play too often.
Being able to play in the second row will be advantageous for him as he offers versatility. This year he has won four line-outs off the opposition throw, which shows his line-out prowess.
(AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
Jackson Hemopo
Ironically, the Highlander forward was considered a more viable blindside option than Fifita in the 2018 All Blacks squad despite also playing the majority of his Super Rugby career at lock.
Hemopo offers a great work rate and is well noticed in the tight physical exchanges. He is especially strong at holding attackers up in the tackle.
Having played nine out of the ten Super Rugby rounds, the three-cap All Black is getting a large amount of game time to impress Hansen and co.
At 195 centimetres, the side of the scrum is a position where he can make a strong push to cement a spot in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
Having signed with Japanese club DynaBoars for 2020, this season needs to be a strong one for the abrasive forward.
Scott Barrett
After a breakout year in 2018, Scott Barrett continues to show his class and has been a key performer for the Crusaders so far in 2019.
Even though he is playing extremely well in the second row, there have been calls for him to start a Test in the No.6 jersey.
Barrett has improved his physicality at Steve Hansen’s request in 2019, which is a key component for any blindside flanker.
He is an adept ball-handler, where he has the ability to put other players into gaps, which is a big part of the All Blacks’ game plan.
His ability to run great lines also makes him suited to playing in the loose forwards – remember the try he scored on debut against Ireland in 2016?
Having started 13 of his 29 Tests in the second row and the other 16 off the bench, Barrett playing flanker will bolster the forward pack alongside lock duo Sam Whitelock (below) and Brodie Retallick.
(AP Photo/David Rowland)
Tom Robinson
Robinson will be a bolter if he is selected for the All Blacks in 2019, considering this is first season of Super Rugby. But his form has been impressive and he is a key component in a much improved Blues outfit.
The man from Kerikeri has All Blacks pedigree, with his father Alastair being a 1983 tourist to England and Scotland.
He is a workhorse, which was shown when he made 23 tackles against the Stormers earlier this year.
He has crossed the chalk twice this year roaming on the left edge courtesy of two great Ma’a Nonu passes, which is where mobile loose forwards need to attack.
He needs to restrain himself from infringing in pressure situations, such as giving away a penalty try in Round 1 of the Super Rugby season for entering the side of a rolling maul.
A continuation of his form in the next two or three seasons will see him become an All Black.
Whoever is selected at blindside for the World Cup will have big shoes to fill after Kaino’s efforts in 2011 and 2015.
They must be a physical enforcer in defence, be athletic in attack and have a wide range of skills.
Frizell has the edge currently, but Scott Barrett should also be given an opportunity in one of the lead-up matches prior to the tournament.
PapanuiPirate
Roar Pro
Cheers Riccardo. My concern with Whitelock is that he is limited. He'll buckle in and do a job but he won't be a dominant force. He's closer with his defense but still a bit short of punishing. Your argument FOR Whitelock, that he is a genuine lineout option, is why I don't want to see a Cane, Savea combo. They are both just short of 190cm and while the leap quickly they aren't genuine lineout options. The ABs like having a proper 4 target lineout, it's one of the reasons their lineout has been so good for so long.
One Eye
Roar Rookie
SW has had a huge chunk of the start of the season off and will be in flying form for the play offs - rested for first 4 rounds then had the Highlanders game cancelled and I think this weekend is his 2nd ABs rest weekend so 7 of 12 matches not played in. Give him a run of games and see how he is - SB knew his captain would be out for the start so took his opportunity to show what he can do and now needs to bottle it for the playoffs and WC.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Good rationalised post mate. Whitelock has some runs on the board and is a genuine line-out option which elevates him somewhat. By your own reasoning could we not see Cane bed down at 6 also? He's almost a blindside the way he plays and we get him and Savea, dual opensides, to boot. I feel for Todd. He's a little like Monkley. Consistently delivers but having had to live behind McCaw and Cane has stifled his career.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the feedback mate. Thats greatly appreciated. I think Luke Whitelock and Akira Ioane could be battling out for a backup 8 jersey. Whitelock is a top defender and offers some good leadership. It is a shame he is leaving to go to Pau.
DC
Guest
Who is Luke Squire ?
dsat24
FFS! Er…. Frizel, Fifita and Squire in that order for mine. But then W for Whitelock wont let anyone down anytime soon but that doesnt fit into my opening sentence. Boom tish. FFS FFS… Nice piece Carlin.
Ralph
Roar Guru
That's true Ben. You think Robinson is that guy?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nobody. Appreciate the feedback. Dont think I will ever be a professional journalist but enjoy doing the occasional write up.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Thanks Carlin, best article I've read for a while. We NZers need more like this!
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I see him more as an 8 option that can play 6 if needed. He has shown some good signs that he wants to be an All Black this year. No questioning his ability and seems his attitude is better this year and has taken some advice on board from the selectors.
Jacko
Guest
Yeah I just hope they dont try to manufactor a Kaino, and they go with whoever is doing the roll the best rather than who they are playing like.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I think Read will time his run so he is peaking in September. I thought he had a really strong game last week and was probably the best Crusader forward against the Lions. He will know what he needs to do to be primed for the big dance.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Agree with you on Elliot Dixon. Seems to have a new lease of life since returning from Japan. Evans has barely played. Been injured majority of this season. Another very good all-round player. Can play all 3 loose forward positions, has a good turn of pace, skillful and is an excellent line-out operator that is quick off the ground.
Fionn
Guest
Frizell looks like a really special player to me, Geoff. Would love to see him have a great world cup.
Fionn
Guest
Good problem to have, given how well Frizell is playing. Although if Nick Bishop is to be believed, we might see Ardie and Cane playing in the same back-row together. I am pretty happy with Jones, Naisarani and McCaffrey, but I've felt like Frizzel is something special.
Ben
Guest
Well every world cup we' ve gone in with an inexperinced player who has turned out to be a star. Michael Jones, Lomu, Milner-Skudder were all newbies with little to no experience when they went to the WC. Good enough is experienced enough.
Ben
Guest
Perhaps Evans hasnt been that flash this year because he hasnt played since round 1 or 2.....
afistfulofdollars
Roar Rookie
I guess it really depends on what Hansen chooses to do at both 7 & 8. Ardie Savea is the most in-form player in the competition and should really be a lock at 7. Although Read hasn't been in the same vein of form that saw him awarded World Player of the Year in 2013 and a general freak for the succeeding 4-5 years, you'd be a brave man not to have him at 8 for his AB swansong. In that case I'd look to pick Frizzell at 6 and have Scott Barrett off the pine. A very nicely balanced BR. In saying that all of the players mentioned above would be first picked at 6 of the WB's and a number of other top tier teams. Such is the depth of the NZ production line.
Aidoc
Guest
Ioane?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
You have a good point on Akira Ioane. He has X-factor for sure. He seems willing to do more of the nitty gritty work this year which he was asked to do by the selectors. He could be a potential star in test match rugby with his speed and skill. I agree with you on Luke Whitelock he is an outstanding defender.