With a mid-year program described by some as ‘light’, Ian Foster and team were going to have their work cut out narrowing in on their starting XV and bench for the first Bledisloe Cup match, which is only a few short weeks away.
The second Fiji Test of last weekend went some way to nailing down a few of those positions in question.
Loose forwards and the breakdown
Best let the words of the greats fall first.
In the post-match review, Kieran Read, when asked about the performance of the loose forward trio, lauded Luke Jacobson, confirmed Ardie Savea as there or thereabouts and didn’t mention Akira Ioane.
Coach John Plumtree had a similar scale, with a rusty caveat over the returning openside, but credited Ioane with momentum carries when required.
Let’s set the scene from last week when the All Blacks were slaughtered in the media for being beaten up at the breakdown, despite winning the contest 11-8.
Very different this week – by my count, Fiji actually shaded this one on a much lower total count, but this time conceded a fistful of penalties at the All Black offensive ruck.
New Zealand conceded four turnovers, all in the backs, three of them off Damian McKenzie carries.
Damian McKenzie (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
The biggest changes to the All Black ball protection came from the front row, which had a big step up in production through Scott Barrett and Luke Jacobson (whose numbers I stopped counting really early as his positive impact was evident).
Good efforts out of Ardie Savea with 14 ruck involvements, split between offensive and defensive, with about 50 per cent of those in the ‘impact’ category. I recorded a single meaningful ruck involvement from Akira Ioane across his 67 minutes.
Last week, Shannon Frizell and Ethan Blackadder forced five on the ground turnovers between them, again, I did not record a single turnover, either clean or penalty-forced, from our starting flankers in that second Fiji Test.
One of the things to watch this week was where the tackles on the big ball carriers would come from without Frizell.
Savea stepped up with four head on tackles early in the piece, Ioane made two in the opening minute and this was aided by a more focused tackle effort from the New Zealand front row, four of those from Nepo Laulala.
Both ended up with good tackle numbers in the context of the game with Savea topping the count.
Lineout impact from the flankers was good with Ioane strong in the air and Savea playing the link role off the back with some aplomb, but where the coaches will be concerned is the genuine lack of support from both flankers at line-break time with only Luke Jacobson regularly being in the picture when the many line breaks came.
The four penalties conceded by 6 and 7 didn’t help the overall picture.
Luke Jacobson remains a quality lineout option.
One thing also worth noting is just how good Jacobson is with his feet and hands at the back of the scrum.
If captain Read had a weakness, it was with control with his feet at scrum-time, no issues there with the new guy.
Verdict for the Bledisloe: Ardie Savea has done enough, and will be better for the gallop, to hold off Dalton Papalii for the No.7 shirt, Luke Jacobson has locked the No.8 position down, and Shannon Frizell will be back on the blindside with his ability to set a platform for others and a broader work-rate.
That looks a tougher trio for the bigger Tests, especially when we come up against South Africa later this year.
Fullback
Custodian – custodian – custodian.
Let the words ring loud and wide because this is what we need more than some mythical second playmaker.
Firstly, let’s all recognise just how good the Damian McKenzie chase back and following ruck attack, for the absolute world-class effort that it was.
But again, three turnovers his own carry backs and one kick out on the full from outside the 22 is an error rate the All Blacks do not need, especially when penalties at the turnover mean the All Blacks end up under defensive pressure.
What is disappointing is that no matter who we play back there, the outcomes seem to be the same.
We need a circuit breaker – if Reiko Ioane can be convinced he is indeed a winger, then does Will Jordan become an option for the No.15 jersey?
Midfield
David Havili is making every post a winner in the battle for the No.12 shirt.
What I particularly like is when he is under pressure or placed in a poor position, he is calm and takes whatever pounding is required at the tackle or ruck to stabilise the position.
The partnership with Richie Mo’unga was evident as they interchanged roles at first receiver, creating a kind of block play but always over the gain line. Defends and distributes well with a whole bunch of run metres for good measure.
First run out with Anton Leinart-Brown outside him was encouraging as the latter made his way back from injury, and the presence of ALB in that No.13 shirt seriously improved the ruck work of the All Black midfield, although we should recognise the absence of Fijian midfielder Levani Botia was a bonus for New Zealand.
Worth a mention was the performance of Aaron Smith, who is now 99 Tests not out. His passing technique is without peer but his ability to pick and time the right pass was again on display while his tactical kicking game was top drawer.
Good to pick up that 100 in a Bledisloe Cup match.
Progess, at least in some key areas. Answers for others still sought but they are now fewer.
OtakiCraig
Roar Rookie
Akira defence - Responding to your "report" on Akira's performance in this game. Been up north on site so responding now. Now I trust my eyes and when I noted your "report" on Akira's game performance I thought it was Trump all over again, believe me (Highlander) and not your eyes so, I watched the game again today after getting back into Perth. This is what I saw in the first 40mins: 1m 5sec 5 & 6 dominate tackle - 11m 7sec 6 supports 9 and drives the ball forward - 6 dominate tackle, slightly offside? - 25m 6 lineout win - 27m 33 - 6 lineout win - 38m 40sec - 6 tackles & drives Fijian's out - 40m 15sec - 6 drives ball forward leading to Savea try. Akira defending the side line with Barrett. Jacobson made 2 tackles, 1 driving and the other around the ankles. Otherwise the forwards did their thing, Savea was roaming, Jacobson was ... there when he needed to be but to say he had more of an impact then Akira is being dishonest, or blind? Akira manhandled the Fijians in contact, he even walked through them pushing them out of the way when he had the ball.
1eye
Roar Rookie
Its an interesting and close debate agreed ,in super rugby its six of one and closer ,where his attacking skills are convincing ... but I dont believe test rugby defense systems suit Dmacs style, when games are tight and he wants to get involved he has a tendency to run sideways, away from supporting players and then get smashed and turnover the ball...secondly as a fullback we all know in the modern game, the go to play with advantage for an attacking penalty is a bomb and i far prefer Jordie under a bomb than Dmac ....Plus Jordies ability as a long range penalty kicker.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
The point is that looseforwards just ran tackled and linked (oh and rucked - the proper way that is) but there wasn't really the same specialisation between the positions that emerged later IMO. Perhaps one was a bit taller and was useful in the lineout - but even that wasn't the science it has become. I don't think it really mattered if Kirkpatrick wore 6 or 7 or whether Tremain did - same with Graham previously. It certainly didn't matter whether Sutherland or Wyllie wore 6 or 8. Certainly there was no combination like McCaw Read and Kaino - where you simply would never think of moving them from their chosen numbers (which, in essence, determined their main functions). Ruck laws determine what you need out of the loose forwards IMO. Long gone are the days when a Brumbies v Crusaders game same McCaw and Smith get 7-8 turnovers a piece. The niche specialisation of 7s (in particular) for snaffling can't be the only thing they can do any longer.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
Will we get what we need though?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Iv'e seen quite a few over the decades from the South that were more than interesting, in the likes of the awesome Kenny Stewart, Rutledge, & even the boy from Central Don Clark, not to mention others in the calibre of Kel Tremain, who ended up in Hawkes Bay.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Love to see Rugby League international rules and trying to push some of those players to the pacific teams. Imagine the improvement in the tongan team with taukeiaho, frizell, mounga, havili, taniela tupou, ngani laumape, Charles piutau and fekitoa. Work on Israel folau and that young half back playing for the turbos. If the vunipola brothers are are no longer wanted for England too. But only if it does not mean that they lose money from their pay packet. Otherwise keep playing for tier one nations. Same for Samoa and Fiji.
Jock
Roar Rookie
Agree, my guess is that your back 3 is the one Rennie would fear most
Harry Jones
Expert
No strong opinions on the issues described, but my strong opinion is this is very well written and good to read.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Good thoughts muzzo Not sure I like having so many options but still wondering what the best side is And another vote for Will Jordan at fullback
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
No way is he better than Bridge Jacko, as Bridge has a great skill set overall.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Play at the back OB?? Well, mate, IMO, I do like Will Jordan, giving him the extra yard or so to move, or create, some damage, would be massive. He's definitely got the pace.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Excellent read Highlander, & I'm pretty much in favour of some of your thoughts/ selections. Yes I do think Luke Jacobson is the man for the last man down, as Sotutu, compared to him, is not in the same race. The open side, IMO, is between Ardie & Dalton. Perhaps Ardie will get the nod, due to his overall experience, but the blind side, & I'm a Landers supporter, I'd have the talented Ethan Blackadder there. Mate, at this stage of his career, I rate him better than his Dad, & he'll only get better. His work rate is up there with Jacobson, & he's another with lineout ability. I know, Shannon, is up there, but this Todd's boy, is good. Yes I agree that Reiko is a winger, & should be considered there, but he's got a fight, with the overall skill set of George Bridge, & Sevu Reece. Will Jordan IMO, I strongly think should be given a go at Fullback. My reasoning, being, that it gives him a far better chance to create or finish something with that pace he has. Like the extra space, this kid could be every bit as good as the ' Paekakariki Express '. Just give him the time to prove it. The selection of David Havili with ALB at this stage, is warranted, but hopefully, along the line, Braydon Ennor will get a run. Also I was a bit disappointed that Fossy, Fox, & those other selectors, never had the foresight, to give the other Ethan, a go in this squad. Like De Groot, is a definite future full time AB, & to by pass this young fella, at this stage, of his career is pretty sad. Finally last but not least, it's great to see Sam Whitelock as Kapene. A role that he's never been beaten in as a AB, & with the support of either Brodie, or Scott, being his partner we are looking at a pretty good pack, as the front row speaks for itself.
Republican
Guest
There is absolutely zero allure in The Bledisloe, even for a nation of jingos i.e. NZ, surely?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Jagger said it a lot more than once, JDK :silly:
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Yes he was trying to be more like the McCaw, Cane, Todd etc. Work in progress, but good, important work.
Bluesfan
Don't think he has as yet - but get the idea that Aumua was bit immature and found being a professional player with all the stuff around diet hard. You know the stories that after he made the AB's first time, he turned up to the Hurricanes pre-season training in terrible shape. But looking at him now, finally appears to have a real edge about him and all he now needs to get is more playing time in the Hurricanes (who have/had 3 top class hookers) and then hopefully AB's. Again if we have those 2 in the 23 future is looking good re: hookers.
Dmac will solve that issue.
Old Bugger
Guest
I dunno jdk….one wants to play a new position in the test arena while the other, just wants to get over his injuries and play the one position, he’s always played, in the same arena. Guess which one just might have a head start on that position cos talent, only reaches so far…..and I can honestly say, I’ve only seen one player who successfully played a totally new position, in the test arena….his name was Jonah.
Yep. King Country……World famous in TeKuiti and Taumarunui :laughing: And amongst Colin meads fans every where. I do love the massive Sheep shearing statue in TeKuiti… Thats shearing not sharing :silly:
Old Bugger
Guest
And, as an Old Bugger always says….”You take it on the chin if, you don’t get what you want…”