All Blacks great ‘commends’ Scott Robertson’s ‘bravery’ after picking wing who won’t ‘derail the game plan’
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and debutant wing Leroy Carter in action for All Blacks Sevens.
Former All Blacks back three star Israel Dagg has praised Scott Robertson for making the bold call and picking Leroy Carter over Rieko Ioane.
The 26-year-old will make his Test debut against the Springboks this weekend having been selected ahead of the experienced wing.
Carter joins a back three which also includes Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie as New Zealand look to secure back-to-back victories over the defending world champions.
Robertson’s ‘bravery’
It is, as Dagg states, a ‘brave’ decision from Robertson to pick the untested Chiefs star, particularly with Saturday’s clash significant in the context of the Rugby Championship.
A victory would put the All Blacks in an excellent position going into the Bledisloe Cup, but a defeat would leave the competition finely poised ahead of the final two rounds.
“I really commend the All Blacks selectors for the bravery of making these tough decisions. We could have gone down the tried and trusted of an 84-Test All Black in Rieko Ioane, but they’ve seen him (Carter) training extremely hard and they’ve rewarded performances throughout*- the year,” Dagg said on Sport Nation’s Scotty and Izzy show.
“That’s what you want to see from an All Blacks management group, which is saying: ‘Look, if you are performing and if you are training extremely well, you will get an opportunity’.
“What an opportunity this is, against the world champs in Wellington who we know are going to be so much better than last week.”
Dagg ultimately believes that Carter is slightly different to previous All Blacks wings and may provide a better balance to the backline.
“What I love about Leroy Carter is he’s a genuine winger. He understands the role and what is needed, whereas with wingers in the past, we loved their work rate, we loved their willingness to get off their wing and look for opportunities,” he said.
“Although that’s an upside and you feel like you’re doing your team a service, it can actually derail the game plan. Leroy Carter is a genuine outside back and genuine wing.”
Wet and windy Wellington
There are concerns from some that Carter is just there for his aerial prowess and will not get too many opportunities with ball in hand, but Dagg predicts that he will also get chances to show his other skills.
“You’ve got to understand that conditions in Wellington are horrible, every time I’ve played there it’s been a bit swirly and a bit wet, so you can use the kick to its upside,” he added.
“It depends on the game situation but when you’ve got athletes like that and a guy like Leroy Carter on the outside, who has been considered the fastest man in New Zealand rugby…
“I think they will get him a chance to have a go with ball in hand but knowing the game and how important the box-kick is, he’s very good on the chase.
“Will Jordan, you know what he’s capable of doing on the chase, but when you’ve got another winger that can do it, it really opens up both sides of the park for that kicking opportunity.
“I hope he’s not just a kick-chaser, I hope we do get to see opportunities with him ball in hand – he can beat a man.”
READ MORE: Scott Robertson’s blunt 18-word response to Rieko Ioane’s All Blacks axing
