All Blacks team: Five takeaways as Beauden Barrett entering ‘last chance saloon territory’ following Dave Rennie’s ‘fascinating’ selection
Beauden Barrett and Samisoni Taukei'aho in action for the All Blacks.
Following the announcement of the All Blacks team for their tour clash against the Stormers, here are our five takeaways from Dave Rennie’s selection.
Beauden Barrett’s chance
It may not be in a Test match just yet but the All Blacks centurion does at least make his first appearance under Rennie when they face the Stormers. With Ruben Love New Zealand’s shiny new-ish toy at fly-half and Damian McKenzie dovetailing nicely with the Hurricanes star at full-back, Barrett did not even make the bench for the three Nations Championship matches.
Doubt has therefore been cast over his international future, especially with the outstanding Richie Mo’unga set to return after his three-year stint in Japan. The 35-year-old could duly be in last chance saloon territory on this tour, making the Greatest Rivalry opener against the Stormers particularly important for the playmaker.
He has a big task to guide what is a team full of players desperate to get their Test opportunity around the field. They risk overplaying their hand as the individuals seek to force their way into the main 23, but it is Barrett’s job to make sure they remain on track and, if the fly-half can do that, then he could face the Springboks over the next month.
Second-string feel
Rennie stated that he already pencilled in his teams for the first four games so it is fascinating that he has gone so understrength. Of course, it is still stacked with quality but, if you compare it to the squad that took to the field against Ireland in July, not too many of this 23 were involved.
Only Patrick Tuipulotu, who captains the side in Cape Town, and Josh Moorby started the final Test last month, which shows Rennie’s thinking for this encounter. For players like Rieko Ioane and Simon Parker, it could well be the only chance they get to impress before the opening match against South Africa.
There are also injury-returnees in the form of Fabian Holland and Leroy Carter, with the former particularly hoping to get back up to speed quickly after missing the whole of Super Rugby Pacific, while Siale Lauaki and Josh Jacomb are the two uncapped players in the squad.
It is also somewhat notable for who isn’t there given the direction the New Zealand head coach has gone in. Fehi Fineanganofo, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa should all get their chance over the next couple of games, but it is surprising that none have made this squad when you consider how Rennie has approached selection for this game.
Opportunity at hooker
We have mentioned before about the ageing Codie Taylor and whether he can maintain his level until the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Well, with Samisoni Taukei’aho and Asafo Aumua in this 23 following Taylor’s injury, now is the chance to start looking at whether these two can step up should the experienced front-rower’s form decline.
Both are proven Test hookers and have started internationals in the past, but they are primarily viewed as impact replacements. Taylor’s set-piece work, leadership and sheer consistency often sets the tone and allows either Taukei’aho or Aumua to wreak havoc in the second period, and that is what one of these two will have to emulate.
The Chiefs man certainly seems best suited to starting at the moment, and it is not a surprise that Rennie has given him the nod on Friday, thanks to his consistently impressive set-piece work. He seems ahead of Aumua in that regard, albeit the Hurricanes powerhouse was excellent in the technical aspects in the victory over Ireland, and will get a shot against the Stormers.
What it means for games two and three
In truth, we expected a stronger team from Rennie, or at least a side that would more closely resemble the one taking to the field for the first Test. It therefore begs the question of which direction he goes in for Tuesday’s game and how that will impact the final tour match before the series with the Springboks begins.
It ultimately suggests that they will also be hodgepodge selections given that it will be a challenge for the midweekers to back up on Saturday. It could therefore be the case that the 23s utilised for both the Sharks and Bulls are also nowhere near the Test team, happy in the knowledge that they built enough continuity during the Nations Championship.
If that is the case, it would be a risk, but equally, South Africa will be going into the Johannesburg clash in the same boat having named a mix of first choice, injury-returnees, fringe players and youngsters in their side for Saturday’s Argentina encounter. Both coaches are therefore keeping their cards close to their chest ahead of the four-Test series.
Back-row auditions
Two of the loose forward picks appear guaranteed – Luke Jacobson at openside and Ardie Savea at number eight – but the other slots, and we’re including the bench in this, were changed around in the Nations Championship.
Tupou Vaa’i is no doubt the favourite to take that blindside role after impressing in the victory over Ireland. It was also a selection which was made with the Springboks in mind, but the trio that start on Friday – Parker, Peter Lakai and Anton Segner, who replaces the ill Wallace Sititi – could also feasibly fill that position in the first Test.
Parker, at 6ft 5in, is the closest to Vaa’i in terms of stature and being that tall blindside to combat the Springboks’ height in the lineout, but Lakai and Segner also have their strengths which Rennie could prefer. The former started at six against France in the Nations Championship while the latter easily has the skills to play at blindside.
However, it is more likely that they are competing to be an impact replacement. Sititi’s absence could be a blow for the Chiefs star, who found himself on the naughty step after a wretched performance against Italy and has some making up to do. There is no doubting his ability but, after missing this game, it could tilt the balance in the favour of Lakai and Segner.