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Opinion
While it’s been the craziest year to date due to the global pandemic, the dynamics of the famous New Zealand All Blacks are something we still ponder.
With the new generation seemingly coming in under new coach Ian Foster, the thoughts of the All Blacks’ aura possibly fading grow across the rugby world.
Will Foster be able to replicate the success his predecessor had? Will the players relate to him, as they did to Steve Hansen?
So many questions arise around the All Blacks, especially when a new coach comes in, and I wanted to try to dissect them after a strong Super Rugby Aotearoa season. Who would still slide into the XV for the dominating side?
After a fourth successive title for the Canterbury Crusaders, the thought of it all was pointing towards the fact that their head coach Scott Robertson should’ve been the All Blacks coach over Foster. That is for another article!
(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
With that being said, does it point towards an All Blacks side being dominated by the Crusaders? Do the last-place Chiefs get a few players involved?
There are so many talented players who stood out this season and some who are just too strong as incumbents to lose their spot. The debate of who deserves to be the in the first XV is an interesting one.
Picking a XV that would appease everyone seems to be an impossible job. Players who may be injured or on sabbaticals will be included for this exercise and the captain must be picked.
Okay, now that the rules are set, here is who I would pick for my All Blacks XV, if there were a Test this weekend (based on form and incumbency).
1. Joe Moody
2. Dane Coles
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Sam Cane
8. Ardie Savea
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. George Bridge
12. Jack Goodhue
13. Braydon Ennor
14. Sevu Reece
15. Beauden Barrett
To name a few, there would be notable additions to a general All Blacks XV.
Frizell was the Highlanders’ best forward this season. With the All Blacks lacking a loose forward position, given Cane is locked in as captain at seven, Ardie Savea is a guarantee, just depending on what position you play him in. I have played him at eight, to make way for Frizell to play six for the Blacks. Frizell can be a genuine lineout option, as Savea is on his day.
(Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
Ennor is over Anton Lienert-Brown and Ngani Laumape. I just like the continuity of having the Crusaders’ backs, and having Ennor start. If NZ do go with Mo’unga at ten and Barrett at 15, I rather the combination of the ten-13 be strong, hence I would start Ennor over incumbent Lienert-Brown. Although I do love how Lienert-Brown plays, I also love Ennor’s style just as much.
Laulala after a very up-and-down season with the Chiefs is starting still for me. Questionable? Definitely – but I do love how he finished the World Cup and his physical nature is well needed in this pack.
Coles starts ahead of Codie Taylor. Taylor captained the Crusaders to victory and continually gets better. He really is the form hooker, but I cannot and won’t ever deny how good Coles is on his day. He is a genuine game changer, a better lineout thrower and an all-around tough guy on the field.
Now, the hard job of picking a bench for this XV.
This will cause arguments in the comments section, but based off the format of how I want to pick (hooker, prop, prop, lock, loose forward, halfback, flyhalf and outside back), this is who I would select to finish off my 23.
16. Codie Taylor
17. Angus Ta’avao
18. Karl Tu’inukuafe
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Scott Barrett
21. TJ Perenara
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Will Jordan
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The reserve props may cause a bit of stir, however Ta’avao and Tu’inukuafe suit the best impact for a strong side. There is strong incumbency on Ofa Tu’ungafasi from Auckland, but I really am not a fan of him. He lacks the work ethic needed off the bench and definitely the impact.
Although Scott Barrett is a lock, he has a very strong resume at playing the six position for the All Blacks as well. His durability in both positions will be a huge reason to pick him right off the bench. Hoskins Sotutu would fit perfectly off the bench, but for now, Barrett wins the loose forward bench position.
I did not carry a reserve ten, as I have two starting in the XV. If anything needs to happen, Jordan can cover fullback and rotate between the two tens I have supplied in the starting line-up.
Lienert-Brown picks himself. That’s unlucky for players like Laumape, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie, but ultimately, Lienert-Brown wins the utility back position on the bench.
If this were the All Blacks side for 2020, how would they go? How does Foster go in his first year at the helm?
Many questions will be answered if international rugby plays on, but what we do know is all these questions will be answered soon enough.
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.