All Blacks great Justin Marshall says he’s bemused by the decision to call up Aaron Smith for the end of the team’s northern tour, adding they had missed a chance to freshen up the star scrumhalf.
Smith, who missed the Rugby Championship games in Australia due to the birth of his child, has been called up to replace the injured Brad Weber.
He is unlikely to feature against Ireland this week, leaving one match – against France.
Marshall said his late recall was a “kick in the guts” for TJ Perenara and Finlay Christie and put undue stress on Smith.
“It was a real opportunity to freshen the guy up, and he was excited about that and said as much,” Marshall told NewstalkZB.
“(Smith) was looking forward to having a big off-season, summering at home, getting ready for 2022 a year out from the next World Cup…to come in hot and healthy for the next World Cup.
“Now he is off to the bleakness of the northern hemisphere and grinding out isolation when he comes back. I just think it’s counterproductive.
“Because of the time to get over there … it’s very stressful, jet lag … so he’s gone all that way for a French Test.
“I’m really bemused by it. The only thing is, the French Test is a tough one. It’s easily the toughest Test match of the tour.
“Antoine Dupont, the French halfback, is arguably the best player in the world at the moment…not consistently like Aaron Smith, but in the last couple of year’s he’s been sensational.
“The All Blacks are maybe thinking we can get through the Irish test with TJ Perenara but without Brad Weber we need Aaron Smith to win this Test match in the mix with TJ.
“I don’t think it’s a good call. They would be better served in the long term with Aaron Smith freshened up and revitalised.”
Marshall said the All Blacks could have called in players such as Bryn Hall and Mitchell Drummond and looked to build experience and depth.
“Maybe we’re in more trouble than I thought in the position,” Marshall said.
“It’s a bit of a kick in the guts for Finlay Christie.”
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Eh?
Ian
Guest
I agree with this article, obviously the squad needs to be bolstered in case of further injury, but is a win over France now priority over a fully rested and rejuvenated player for next year? I also feel Hall and Drummond would fill the void admirably and perhaps even deserve an ABs cap or two, you have to feel that they are somewhat unlucky that Smith and Perenara have avoided injury and maintained form for such a long period as to keep their places.
WEST
Roar Guru
Oh I see.. Excuse me Mr FunBus, for a minute there I forgot who I was talking too :laughing:
Ou Kir
Guest
OMG here we playing finals again :stoked:
Brizvegas
Guest
And that Justin is why you are not part of the brains trust. With Webber already down and TJ who isn't playing that well just ask those who receive some of his inaccurate or ill timed passes along with Christie who seems to be improving with each opportunity. So Smith the best half back in the world is sorely needed especially if an injury occurs to one of either TJ or Christie.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Yep, we will.
WEST
Roar Guru
We’ll see. :stoked:
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Nah, you’re wrong. England will be stronger in 2023 than they were in 2019.
Adrian Hayward
Guest
Kick in the guts kinda like when Justin Marshall went overseas to play when NZ rugby still needed him?
WEST
Roar Guru
England isn’t what it was.. They’ve gone down hill a bit since 2019. The Jones era is coming to an end very soon.
Marshy
Guest
Has my namesake been slandered? I shall take offence on his behalf and launch legal action forthwith
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I think the point is that between 2015-2019 (the Jones era) you played England once - and that was against an England with injury problems at the time.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Somethings “fishy” with this article…the fourth paragraph states that Marshall called it a, “‘kick in the guts’ for TJ Perenara and Finlay Christie”…but later Marshall’s actual quote is listed & it only mentions Christie…Could it be a deliberate “misprint” for clicks?!?! Also, it shouldn’t be a “kick in the guts” for TJ…it should be a kick in the backside. He hasn’t exactly been playing very well.
Johnno1990
Guest
Do you understand the qualification rules, with regards to playing for New Zealand? Can't just pluck players out of European Leagues.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I understand where Marshall is coming from in regards to flying him over for the one game. It’s not a kick in the guts when one of the best in the game is playing. The AB’s might well need him against a quality French team.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep thanks for that, as I knew it was from down that way, even though he played for Canterbury.
Jefferson
Guest
Since when do people care what Mister Know-it-All has to say.... !!??
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Marshall is from Mataura, Muzzo. I won't go into the reason why, but he became persona non grata in Gore before he found fame on the rugby field.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
"If NZ drops a Test in the last 2 who cares?" I'd suggest hundreds of thousands of NZer's care, CWM. Since when did NZ rugby get to the point of not caring about winning or losing? That's not the attitude that's got NZ to the top of world rugby. Sure, Foster could have made good with the squad he has. Or he could choose to use the best available players. Smith wasn't available earlier, he's available now. He's clearly the premier halfback, you'd play him every time.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Im surprised by it. Foster is signed till 2023 anyway so that wont be the reason. I would have been happy to see TJ and Christie finish the tour off and in a desperate situation they could have called in a OS player like Kerr-barlow or used Dmac as the 9 sub if needed. Lets hope Smith doesnt pick up a longterm injury like a knee or an archillies