Playmaker or a proper strike runner? This constant contradiction seems to bamboozle us when it comes to the inexplicable state of the All Blacks’ fullback position.
New Zealand falls prey to having too much talent, resulting in mis-usage. This saw them perform sub-optimally the past three years, despite having an elite domestic competition in Super Rugby.
All fullbacks, are expected to be defensive rocks, and this already has a definite winner. DMac, despite his defensive misreads, puts his body on the line, and is dimunitively secure under the higball. Will Jordan’s backfield coverage is decent. Jordie Barrett is physical, quick, and clever to defend the back, rarely letting anything slide.
However, from an attacking perspective, the waters become murky. Is BB a fullback or a flyhalf? Or is he an impact player? His natural ‘baller’ archetype suits fullback in terms of an all-rounded attacker, but why not have the quickest guy from a counter-attacking prospect.
The insistence on dual playmakers has brought about the downfall of the All Blacks since Japan. Will Jordan is the best at bringing it back, but is not a 10-type distributor. As a result, he has a second flyhalf starting ahead of him.
There are two types of attacking fullbacks:
1. The Tactical Maestro: This archetype excels in reading the game, providing strategic direction to the team, and making intelligent decisions on the field. They have excellent vision and awareness, allowing them to position themselves optimally to counter the opponent’s attacks and launch effective counter-attacks. They possess strong kicking abilities and are skilled at finding open spaces to relieve pressure or set up attacking opportunities.
Examples in NZ: Beauden Barrett, DMac, David Havili, Stephen Perofeta
2. The Attacking Spark: This archetype brings creativity and flair to the fullback position. They have exceptional running and evasive skills, making them a threat in open play and broken field situations. They have the ability to break through the defensive line, create overlaps, and exploit gaps in the opposition’s defence. They possess good passing skills and often act as an additional playmaker, linking with the backline and creating try-scoring opportunities.
Examples in NZ: Jordie Barrett, DMac, Will Jordan
They have BB at fullback to do the job of a tactical maestro, and have reaped their rewards at several occasions.
Just admire his offload against Argentina in 2022.
Finesse and flourish orchestrates a sensational finish. How many elite 10s could produce that? Maybe, Finn Russell-and apart from him, that list looks rather vacant. (Just a reminder, he produced that from pivot, not from fullback).
But the real reason why they want him there is to act as a connective element in the backline, a second kicking option. It’s ironic, due to two main reasons.
Reason 1: BB/a second flyhalf-type player at fullback is essentially the rugby equivalent of playing a central attacking midfielder at centre forward in soccer.
The fullback is the pliable position, the spot of creativity that can be moulded into any role that suits the team’s style. However, he usually has to be the attacking spark, the man to be the focal point of breaks, the danger man of the team. There are ways to avoid this-to have all backs being adept distributors/breaking threats, a la France.
Damian McKenzie (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
The other solution is to adopt the Bok backline model, which is to have a creative strike runner at 13 (Lukhanyo Am). But even there, Le Roux works all around the field, finding work everywhere in attack, defence, transition, and kicking. He slots into the wider channels when De Allende steps up as a second five, using his wide channel threat to create space for the wingers and wing forwards. Is Beauden Barrett that kind of guy? No. For all of his merits, he is not a floating organiser and facilitator-that is a role archetype rarely found in rugby due to its niche nature(it doesn’t fit in other systems very well) and its demands of skill, vision, and athleticism.
Reason 2: They have sacrificed their attacking spark for things that they already possess.
DMac is an excellent passer and as good as anyone in engaging the line and creating for his teammates. His kicking is no slouch either. Jordie Barrett, the most conventional option stands tall in all pressure situations, with a massive boot and a variety of kicks and passes up his sleeves. Both could be a ‘tactical maestro’ in technicality, with the passing/kicking ability to serve as the link-man in the dual/triple playmaker system the All Blacks seem to be adopting.
Thus, Beauden Barrett should be the starting 10 if his skills and athleticisim are crucial to running their system, and not placed as a dovetail. The All Blacks lacked the raw strike runner archetype in the previous few years. Their desire to use BB as a second playmaker has curtailed him utilising his agility and breaking ability, and it seems that Jordie and DMac have both attacking elements, and thus specialist fullbacks should be deployed in France.
Pundit
Roar Guru
This thread aged well .
Ucnthandlethtruth
Roar Rookie
Clone 15 of them
Ucnthandlethtruth
Roar Rookie
I seem to be alone on this idea but we play the best players in their best positions and back them. Will Jordan is the best FB. Play him. DMac is the inform 10 , so start him. The ABs don't have the pack to win the World Cup this year so whatever they do in the backs is only going to put a band-aid on this reality.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Mate, you have what the Wallabies have been looking for ever since Matt Burke retired right under your noses; a tall, strong, athletic 15 with a long kick AND excellent ball skills - Jordie Barrett. Our selectors have hoped that Hodge could fill the role, but he really only has height and a long kick. He is slow, his ball skills are poor, and he doesn't have a creative attacking bone in his body. Jordie is similar physically, but he's stronger, his ball skills (and offloads, in particular) are awesome, and he's a rock under the high ball. At a world cup, with teams who are going to box kick all day, you need someone like that. He covers every skill set you're after.
WEST
Roar Guru
Yep it’s not great heading into a WC and we still don’t know who’s going where. I agree on BB.. but I’ll guess they’ll still have him there, hope he lifts in the black jersey. DMac is playing great at SR.. we don’t know if that’s the case at test level.. before he left he was cannon fodder playing against some teams, he doesn’t have the space and freedom at test level like he does in SR. Mo’unga also struggles with fast linespeed, we need far better strategies so we can actually utilise our talent, not get bogged down in a slugfest.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
To be honest, I wouldn't even consider BB for the AB squad cos his current form, just doesn't warrant selection. There have been other players, who have played extraordinary rugby this SR season that deserve consideration, ahead of BB. To that end, my No10 selections would be Mounga and D-Mac. My FB selections would be Stevenson and Jordan and my wing selections would be Fainganuku, Narawa, Telea, Clarke and Nanai-Seturo. My choice of both Narawa and N-S is simply because, not only can they insert themselves with ball-in-hand but also, they both possess a great kicking boot on right foot (Narawa) and left foot (N-S). James Lowe has shown for Ireland that his left foot boot, has been an immense success, for exiting their half. The ABs IMO, need something extra to use, when exiting. Fozzie & Co, need to be looking at cementing their selections for the pre-RWC test run and not look, at the limitless combinations - it's too late for that. There's only 6-7 tests to play before the RWC opener, against France. Pick now and use these games, to cement the combos'.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Spew I'd love that back 3! DMac thrives in SR but he's done very little against decent international teams.
WEST
Roar Guru
Think it’s going to be horses for courses this year. Depending on who or where we play. I do think our players have been mismanaged under Foster, Plumtree phase. I expect with Schmidt & Ryan & with Wayne Smith analysing performance we’ll see far more progress. Team selection is vital, but we also need to establish a core team, putting players together regularly needs to happen. Can’t keep swapping and changing teams around, it’s got to the point we’re changing teams just for the sake of it! Combinations need time to evolve & develop, but getting the balance of introducing new players and strategies while building a core team can be challenging. Anyway, we’ll see what happens. They might go for just putting as much talent as possible on the field at the same time and just rotate them around during the game.. example Mo’unga at 10, BB at 15 and DMac on the wing.. then depending on how the game goes shift DMac to 10, BB to wing or swap BB with Perofeta. The combinations are almost limitless. But the ABs need to establish combinations
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
I think there is but my guess is, he'll be wearing the No10 jersey, this time.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Yep, Crowley a Tarankai stalwart
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
The original. Prior to Gallagher the ABs usually went for the no frill safety type … think Kieran Crowley, Robbie Deans
Spew_81
Roar Rookie
Reece is injured. Clarke’s defense is bad.
savant
Roar Rookie
No room for Reece or Clarke?
savant
Roar Rookie
Yeah high ball defusion is pretty much the number one attribute needed in world rugby now. That brings Jordy Barrett up the list.
savant
Roar Rookie
Gee you don’t ask for much. Is there a player in world rugby who can do all that?
savant
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Jordan is a match winner and the most lethal outside back in world rugby. Play BB at the back if you like but put Jordan on the wing. Forget about his odd defensive lapse. He won’t be th reason the All Blacks lose but he could be the reason they win.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I cannot see the All Black coaches deviating for Beauden Barrett at fullback. They are pretty set on having him and Mo’unga on the field at the time. I really do want to see Jordan get at least a couple of games in the 15 jersey this year. He has got back into the swing of things pretty seamlessly for the Crusaders since his return. I think with attacking ability, anticipation to read the oaky especially following up kicks and that he holds defenders as he holds ball in two hands regularly can be a big asset and a point of difference for the All Blacks.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Sort of prototype for Christian Culln
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
I don't care....just gimme a fullback who can do these: (a) Tackle every player that comes into his focus lane (b) Catch every high kick that's kicked to his position (c) Enter the backline outside of the OC and provide an extra draw on the opposing defence (d) Pass off both hands (e) Kick off both left and right legs and kick long or short as required (f) Mouth off to his team where both attack lanes and defence lines are required. Do all of this and IMO, we have our full-back. Now, let's havalook at the other 14 positions.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree with a lot of this Spew. It would be good to see some different selections during the RC but time is running out. The 1 standout for me is that WJ has been a very successful winger with 21 tries from 21 tests but with Dmac, BB, Stevenson, Jordan and JB I think we have FB covered very well. The other standout info is that all of those players are multi positional and that allows Foster many options without losing player strength.