With Ireland’s tour of New Zealand just around the corner, I thought I’d take the opportunity to name my All Blacks 23 for the first Test.
With a mix of youth, experience, power and pace, this is my side to take down the formidable Irish threat.
1. Ethan de Groot
He is powerful and mobile. That is what’s needed in the All Blacks’ front row and de Groot has shown both for the Highlanders this season. He gets the starting spot on the loosehead side.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
With both Dane Coles and Codie Taylor’s stars beginning to wane, the big, bustling Chiefs hooker will provide much needed go forward for the All Blacks’ pack, while also nailing the basics. Look out Ireland, here he comes!
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
The Blues’ big man has been a rock this season. He is powerful, mobile, and rugged. Setting the platform up front is crucial and this young front row has the goods.
4. Brodie Retallick
While he still hasn’t reached his highest heights after a return from Japan last season, big Brodie is the man to help anchor the scrum, secure crucial line out ball, be a pest at ruck and maul time, and take the ball hard into contact.
(Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)
5. Sam Whitelock (c)
Grey-bearded Whitelock will lead my team. His experience, never-ending motor, smarts and strength are the perfect foil to Retallick at four.
6. Ethan Blackadder
There are two schools of thought at six. Either you name an intimidator (think Jerry Collins or Jerome Kaino) or a work horse. For me, it’s the work ethic of Blackadder that gives him the nod. His head down, bum up approach also complements the other two in my back row.
7. Dalton Papalii
He is youthful, exuberant, powerful and ever present. Papalii gets the rewards for a solid Super Rugby season. His power over the ball, ability to force a turnover, and speed to the breakdown are key.
8. Ardie Savea
While Savea doesn’t fit the mould of a traditional eight, he’s a menace with ball in hand and in defence. His powerful running, full of muscle, speed and skill, will give the All Blacks’ backs important front-foot ball.
9. Aaron Smith
He is still the All Blacks’ best nine, with a laser-like pass, constant presence in the referee’s ear, and experience by the bucket full. His play has become a bit predictable, maybe to suit the Highlanders’ game plan, but his crisp passing and speed to the breakdown are second to none.
(Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)
10. Beauden Barrett
This is a tough call to make given the arguments for Mo’unga’s ability to control a game from ten, however I can’t leave Barrett out of my starting 15. Coach Ian Foster needs to be in his ear about playing for field position early, and using a mix of chips, cross kicks and grubbers to break up the rush defence. Once he’s set the tone and put doubt in the defenders’ minds, he has all the skills to create havoc.
11. Caleb Clarke
It’s great to see the big man back in the 15s game, fit and raring to go. He earns his place on the power flank due to his impressive form for the Blues. He has pace and power to burn.
12. Quinn Tupaea
With Anton Lienert-Brown out injured and Jack Goodhue only just coming back, I’ve gone for the specialist 12 to provide solidity, power and distribution from 12. In a position relatively thin on stock, Tupaea has been powerful for the Chiefs.
13. Rieko Ioane
If everyone was fit and available, Ioane would start at 11. They’re not, so he makes his way to the starting 13 shirt, where he’s been powerful and fast for the Blues. He is not a natural centre, but give him time and he’ll bring some real X-factor to the All Blacks’ centre pairing.
14. Will Jordan
He is fast, slick, smart, elusive, and everything you want from an outside back. This was a toss-up for the 15 jersey, with Jordie Barrett dropping to the bench in a super sub role, but I just had to have both players on the field to start.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
15. Jordie Barrett
He is the custodian. With a massive boot, dependable goal kicking, height to defuse bombs, and a solid 2021 season under his belt, Barrett is the man to inject power into the back line while also providing safety at the back.
16. Codie Taylor
Solid and dependable, Taylor provides a point of difference to Taukei’aho. His experience, consistency and reliability will help finish the game from the bench. Dane Coles is a close second.
17. George Bower
Covering both sides of the scrum, Bower has come of age this season and deserves a bench spot (at least).
18. Nepo Laulala
He is another strong and powerful front rower, who can also provide go forward and handle the tough stuff at tighthead.
19. Owen Franks
In an inspirational return against the Waratahs, and with Karl Tu’inukuafe heading offshore, Franks comes into my squad on the bench. His knowledge, strength and experience will provide added steel up front.
20. Scott Barrett
This was a tough one. I originally had Sam Cane on my bench, but with three potential sevens in the starting 15, having a back-up lock on the bench is key. Discipline will be crucial if he is to provide the impact required from the bench.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
21. Brad Weber
With Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava snapping at his heels, Weber gets the bench role based on his 2021 international form, where he was my number two at nine.
22. Richie Mo’unga
As defences start to tire, hot-stepping Mo’unga comes on to ignite the attack. His ability to guide the team around the park, plus place-kicking expertise, provides options as a replacement for either Barrett at ten or Barrett at 15.
23. Leicester Fainga’anuku
A powerful player who can play on the wing or in the midfield, Fainga’anuku has been excellent for the Crusaders and comes straight into my squad.
So what do you think Roarers? What changes would you like to see? Who is your starting 15 and bench?
IvanN
Guest
Saffa here, having watched URC extensively, here's 2 areas the Irish will dominate this team. 1. Breakdowns, URC intensity at breakdow blows SR away. 2. Centre's, id bet the house the Irish will bring the Ulster centre pair who are both big and powerful. Will be an interesting match up, but I'm inclined to put money on Ireland here if the bookies see it going the other way.
thebleedingobvious
Roar Rookie
That’s a good team can’t argue with Blackadder’s work rate but think we need to stick with Akira as a skilful and enforcer type at 6, though he needs to show more consistency at the latter against top teams but AB’s got beaten physically in NH last year, so give him the game time, like Kaino needed after being dropped, to develop. Also think they need to make some hard decisions around some of the guys who’d like to play next wc because some of them are increasingly more injury prone or may be past their best by then if not now, or have up and comers doing better - Papalii for Cane for instance. Ardie is a guy the players would coalesce around as captain. Whitelock was impressive as Captain for that short time, though some question about him lasting to wc otherwise he's captain. Also in doubt imo - Retallick, Coles, Moody, Taylor, TJ, Scott Barrett - skilful but unimposing, what do they see in Lomax? - need a balance of experience also at wc though. We were physically shown up in NH and in Boks test last year and not a lot of tactical imagination in the coaching box, hope Schmitt adds something. Tucker has a look in, Sevu very unlucky to not be in 23, Weber has pace but like many of our 9’s, too often misses the pass under pressure, it’s a core role. Fokatava has a better all round game and bench impact.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
I am an Irish fan and I have noticed that in the last couple of wins v NZ Retallick has been quite poor. He is only 30 but does look like his career is winding down a bit. Key for NZ obviously will be to win the breakdown both in offense and attack as Ireland tend to get the better of them in this area. NZ will need to be disciplined too as Ireland do tend to dominate posession and territory because of their highly effective backrow and speed with which they recycle. I think Barrett at 10 is a good idea based on how Ireland play even though Mounga is in my view a better all round 10. Finally, I still think NZ is the better side marginally, despite their loss to Ireland last Nov because although they lost they were still in the game up to the end and scored some very brilliant opportunistic tries all while playing fairly badly. Notwithstanding that Ireland are an improved side now too but it is in NZ and that counts for a lot. I would be happy with 1 win v NZ preferably in Eden park. The Irish team will definitely be aiming for a series win though and with Sexton’s drive and ambition as captain and in the form of his life it will be our best chance ever.
Craven Wetere
Guest
1. Tuinukafe / De Groot 2. Aumua / Eklund / Taukeiaho 3. Ofa 4. Retalik 5. Tucker 6. Ioane 7. Papalii 8. Savea 9. Smith 10. Barrett / Mounga 11. Telea / Jordan / Fainganuku 12. Tupaea / RTS 13. Ioane 14. Reece 15. Barrett / Perofeta 16. Aumua / Eklund / Taukeiaho 17. Tuinukuafe / De Groot 18. Laulala 19. Vaii 20. Christie / Fakatava 21. Barrett / Mo'unga 22. Perofeta 23. Tupaea / RTS Gonna be some big in form names that miss out but these are the players id pick. Picked on form and potential to take us all the way to RWC23 Depending on squad size there would be a few more to add that i like
Fiordla d
Roar Rookie
The problem with this team is this is the final year to blood a heap of new depth. Strategy would be like Laurie Mains did in 1994. Cut a lot of 'known' players, leave them at home and focus on picking size and offensive punch that can run hard and make their tackles. Big new midfielders, Dalton as captain, little number sixes and eights like Blackadder and Savea don't cut the mustard so make them scrap it out for openside reserve. Players that aren't able to make dominant tackles like Mounga left at home along with at least one of the three named starting locks. Weber and Smith don't need to travel but have the odd test as they rotate and cap new talent. Jordie shifted into 12 and Rieko at centre with them played through to and including the world cup with big units like Heem included as big difficult men to deal with for large opposition. Will Jordan given fullback with power runners picked on the wings. Perofeta selected and tested as a fullback/first five and the young Auckland fullback Zarn Sullivan, Tom Robinson and Mark Talea given a run and every other potential from the Highlanders, Chiefs, Canes and Crusaders. Some will step up and others won't. By next year a giant reservoir of capped players
Geoff
Guest
A player that no one has mentioned is Bryce Heem. His combination with Reiko Ioane will Tuivasa-Sheck was injured was impressive. Two dangerous running midfielders, what a sight, and something different for opposition defences to deal with.
Geoff
Guest
I wouldn't have three specialist props on the bench. Maybe change out Franks (despite his obvious form) for maybe Josh Lord or Tupou Va'ai at lock. Otherwise, not bad side.
Chad lee
Guest
I would put finlay in Instead of webber, also sotutu over a prop on the bench, and RTS in there too.
Tightfive
Roar Rookie
Paps is by far best 7 all year. Cane just doesn't have it but Foster has his pets so ....
Tightfive
Roar Rookie
Lots of good change suggestions. But how about changing Foster! ????
Tightfive
Roar Rookie
Reiko has been by far the best centre inSuper all season. Must start ABs
Tightfive
Roar Rookie
Cane is too slow. Papali is,much quicker and handles running ball better.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
I could see him going at 6 as an enforcer, defender. There’s soo many options for the back row at moment, interesting to see if there are changes at all.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
A Barrett can be a worry, Vaii could go in there. On one hand I can see foster making some big changes cause he’s worried but I think the players can do it from the last 2 years.
John
Guest
3 props?
WEST
Roar Guru
Cane will get injured again either during the Irish series, or Rugby Championship.. possibly both. He’s a great player! Hard worker, but his body isn’t cooperating with his mind. He could possibly be a part timer AB.
WEST
Roar Guru
Not sure what these guys are watching? Must be something different to me? If they think they’ll leave Papalii out of the All Blacks, must be crazy :laughing:
WEST
Roar Guru
You leave out the best loose forward Papalii?
WEST
Roar Guru
I’d put money on Papalii being the future captain. He’s a natural leader
WEST
Roar Guru
Foster needs to find the best of the best, we have a lot of guys who are buying time with past performances.. We need guys who are performing currently, with youth on their side. 18 games, as JK always says.. 18 tests until the Rugby World Cup, it’s not much time to fix and have a secure team.. Not impossible though. But we can’t have guys playing with a combination a couple of times.. Then being swapped and shifted around! It does not work! These guys must play together week in week out, only being replaced because of injuries or when the opportunity can sustain it. We need 15 players, no more wings at centre one week, then full back the next.. it’s BS. A forward pack, playing with guys that they’ve only scrum down with 2 or 3 times previously on the international stage.