Since the era of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, the All Blacks are yet to find a similarly devastating midfield combo.
They may have selected many players at 13 for general footballing ability instead of the skillsets required for the position. Their current incumbent to fill the 13 jersey, Anton Lienert-Brown, is a great player but I simply feel that 13 may not be the right place for him and that vice versa, he may not be the right 13 for the All Blacks.
I am a fan of Lienert-Brown, but the statistical summary of his performance just seemed a little wrong for a 13. The attacking gameplay statistics are summarised by the acronym KRP (kick-run-pass). Here is Lienert-Brown’s KRP: he had zero kicks from hand, three carries (runs) that made six metres and zero passes.
Meanwhile, in defence, his defensive solidity played up excellently, with 14 out of 15 completed tackles and three turnovers won. His tackle count is excellent considering that he had to mark Jordan Petaia, one of the best-running 13s anyone could find.
However, his kicking and passing just seem wrong. Such a limited attacking influence just is not the kind of performance you want from a class 13.
He is an extremely good strike runner with pace, power and agility to crack the line. In that sense, as an open-running 13 he is one of the best 13s in the world. Defensively, he is one of the most consistent you can find in those tackles. Though he went backwards in contact at times during the Bledisloe, he made decently good reads and big tackles on his opposite number to kill Petaia’s options.
However, he is not great as a playmaking 13. He is a short/medium passer and I have not seen much long distribution from him. This is one aspect of the 13 game that Lienert-Brown is lacking in. He has the general ball skill excellence and proficiency, but the 13 channel is the place with space to be exploited.
The All Black alignment in midfield has Richie Mo’unga usually acting as first receiver with all the strike options at his disposal. They have Jack Goodhue as a wide passing platform and strike runner, while Lienert-Brown is a bruiser/stepper. Beauden Barrett is out wide as he is a visionary in broken play with one of the wingers.
As it is, the job of a 13 comprises three aspects: ball carrier, key defender and playmaker/wide distributor. Lienert-Brown fits two of the three perfectly. Maybe since Goodhue is the wide passing platform, his job is a short playmaker and not a wide distributor. His passing is short and fast. His carrying often compensated for his lack of long passes.
So, if Lienert-Brown does not completely fit the prototype of a 13, who does?
He could play 12 with short playmaking and crash-ball and maybe a shuffled alignment with the 13 to pass wide if needed.
We have Peter Umaga-Jenson, a fast man who has the pace of a wing and great feet in attack. Then we have Braydon Ennor, who is good at club level with the pace, however, I think that he is more of a utility back.
In my opinion, there are only two other realistic options for complete 13s that are Test quality – Jack Goodhue and Rieko Ioane. Joanne has been a 13 before he was a wing and his preferred position is in outside centre. In his only start at 13 this year, he made two carries, three passes, and zero kicks. Goodhue has made some great passes and great moments this Bledisloe series, but he has been a little inconsistent – just hot and cold.
On the other hand, there may be no need for a player to completely fit the skillset prototype of a 13. Lienert-Brown could play 13 as a short playmaker, key defender and ball carrier.
Unders
Roar Pro
Absolutely; Laumape at 13 sounds like a plan worth experimenting with. In Brisbane at 12 he was unnoticeable because Mo’unga and BB always kicked away.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
That would depend on who is inside them at 9, 10, 12. . All they need is a good defender with a good pass to unleash those outside them. . Goodhue defends well and gets some great off loads away. Put him at 13. . Linnet-Brown needs help to excel. Put him at 12. . Ioane looks risky in defence. . I don’t think the Peanara , Barrett, Laumapi combination has ever worked well. Put Laumapi on the bench .
Old Bugger
Guest
AR The thing is, the ABs did have a centre partnership over these past 4yrs - ALB (12) and JG (13). The only thing I know that's happened since RWC 2019, is something called Covid-19 and then, all hell broke loose. Oh and yeah, NZR dragged their backside along the ground, to choose the next AB coach. Certainly injuries have played a role (Ennor's crocked knee, Laumape in SRA) as to where the ABs are today....form from the abbreviated SR Aotearoa also played a role ( Ioane's case) and, JG playing with a heavily strapped knee ( which I don't think was there in RWC). I think JG just needs to rest up this summer and sort this niggling injury out. It just seems to be in the back of his mind all the time which I suggest, is affecting his ability to be robust with straightening the attack line, before going into a tackle. Mind you, I guess he can't do a lot of that at No12 when he was successful doing that, at No13. The ABs do have a wealth of riches in the mid-field but, some of that wealth just needs to be nurtured, before it bears fruit. ALB, JG, BE and RI are youngsters in their twenties. Is ALB the oldest and most experienced?? Plenty of time to get these combo's sorted, before 2023 and potentially 2027.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Laumape has never been able to consistently transfer his SR success to international level. K think the trouble is at an international level he is too small for his style. He is only 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) in comparison to say Nonu at 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) or Goodhue at 187 cm (6 ft 2 in). He just can’t generate the crash and bash at this level which is his x-factor in SR. Edit: Reicko is 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) that’s a full 18cm taller…
Drs
Guest
Ennor is definitely the man . Great prospect, no fuss , all substance
AR
Roar Rookie
1. Why is Laumape not in the conversation? It’s as if the only choices are ALB, Goodhue, Reiko, Ennor. ??? 2. We’ve been saying for months what a wealth of riches we have at center (yes we do), but it’s 5+ years since Nonu & Smith left and the ABs still have no idea who their centers are.
AR
Guest
“Ioane”. Please get the spelling correct at least. Journalism 101.
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
Different type of player and he had Nonu inside him..Carter at 1/5..McCaw and a much better pack..I think that Goodhue would be good at 12..although JB would be worth a look..and it would get him off the wing :thumbdown: .. a good problem to have..we have an abundance of centres to choose from..pity Reiko can't defend at 13..he certainly has got the pace..hopefully Ennor recovers..Crusader 12 and 13 would be ok..and I am not Crusader supporter although have the utmost respect for them.. :thumbup:
Sylvester
Guest
"I think that Goodhue is to slow." Valid, but the same was said about Conrad Smith.
Old Bugger
Guest
As a junior player, RI played his rugby at outside centre. His move to wing happened when he got chosen for the Blues and was cemented, when he was chosen for the ABs. In SRA this year, I believe RI requested and McDonald tried him at centre. He had a breakout competition which was cemented by his selection for Nth Island at No13, in the inter-island match. Foster has taken note and followed on accordingly. Yes, he did have a shocking game in B1 but IMO, what he needs to sharpen up on are his defensive frailties, in that position. His attack lines will improve with more time spent at No13 but from my view, I think Ioane and Ennor, could both become devastating outside centres, within the next couple of years.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
but Jordie is best at fullback,, at 6 ft 5 he is great at coming forward to defuse the bomb etc.. he looks too awkward a mover at wing or inside backs..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Ioane is a winger, a great finisher with great pace who has scored millions of tries as a winger, why would you move him ????? he has not impressed as a centre and does nothing special there at all.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
Yea cause orginally last year ALB was inside and Goodhue was outside centre, which was going quite well.
Pundit
Roar Guru
again, general brilliance does not qualify for the position
Pundit
Roar Guru
is this a catch 22-we need ALB at 13 since Goodhue lacks the pace, then ALB cant distribute wide at 13 and we need Goodhue to do it
Pundit
Roar Guru
ALB 12 for general footballing ability, and i want a specialist 13
Pundit
Roar Guru
yes. Just reverse the combo and fiddle around with 13 we' ve got a great midfield.
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
I think that Goodhue is to slow..he is a very good player..we have a few options in the 12 and 13 roles ..best to judge next yr when hopefully they play some different opposition.. .
Carlin
Roar Rookie
The midfield has been a problem for a couple of years for the All Blacks. Part of the reason is they have a good number of options but I never got the impression there was ever a settled combination. Goodhue at 12 and ALB at works for me as Goodhue is a very square attacker and his left foot in general play is useful. ALB is a strong defender and is a good jinking runner which when he is at 13 allows him more pace. I think ALB should be continued with at centre as he comes across as the most complete 13 out of the current options. Ioane is lethal on attack but is not the high impact defender we need at 13.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Jordie Barrett was a midfield back growing up and when he first made the Canterbury team. Has a great skill set for a 12. Superb ball handler, great general play kicking option and has a big frame.