Andrew Mehrtens’ verdict on ‘phenomenal talent’ Ruben Love as Carlos Spencer comparisons made
Current All Blacks fly-half Ruben Love and former New Zealand playmaker Carlos Spencer.
Andrew Mehrtens claims that comparisons to Carlos Spencer are justified for the gifted Ruben Love, who the All Blacks great believes is “pretty close” to the iconic fly-half.
The Hurricanes star has enjoyed an outstanding year so far, guiding his franchise to the Super Rugby Pacific title and starting all three games in the Nations Championship.
After performing well in the victories over France, Italy and Ireland, Love has once again been handed the reins for the first Test with the Springboks at Ellis Park.
The 25-year-old is a talented all-round player but he is particularly renowned for his ability with ball in hand with the pivot both a running and passing threat.
Mehrtens’ view on Ruben Love
“He’s physically really good. Comparisons have been made with Carlos Spencer and he’s got phenomenal talent,” Mehrtens told the Boks Unpacked podcast.
“Probably nobody’s got the out-and-out sheer brilliance and audacity that Carlos had, but Ruben Love in the modern context is pretty close to that.
“He’s also got a consistency around his game. You don’t win a Super Rugby title, no matter how much ammunition you have around you, without having a good 10 to guide the team around.
“He’s built up his confidence, he’s composed, got a good kicking game.”
Mehrtens and Spencer regularly battled for the All Blacks jersey with the former seen as the steadier option while the latter was very much the maverick, earning 70 and 44 caps respectively.
Love will hope to eclipse those tallies and he has made a good start to his Test career at fly-half, but he has had plenty of help alongside him.
Two genuine world-class operators, who also play for the Hurricanes, in Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett have slotted in at scrum-half and centre, forming a formidable trio.
It is an area which has impressed Springboks legend Jean de Villiers, who joined Mehrtens on the panel.
“That axis of Cam Roigard, Ruben Love and Jordie Barrett, there’s familiarity there. It’s definitely one of the strengths of the All Blacks. Roigard at nine is a proper rugby player,” De Villiers said.
Roigard and Barrett
Roigard in particular has become critical to his side’s chances over the past 12 months, but he has been streets ahead of his All Blacks scrum-half rivals.
Mehrtens has been impressed by the player who will be his back-up this weekend, however, with Kyle Preston coming in for the injured Cortez Ratima on the bench.
“He’s just one of those players who’s almost like a Tawera Kerr-Barlow who is street-smart on the field and pops up in the right place at the right time and does the right things without looking flash, flash,” he said.
As for Barrett, Mehrtens believes that while he may look assured of a place in the XV, he has plenty of competition in the midfield.
“Jordie Barrett, you think that’s a logical to have, but the midfield’s a tough race for the All Blacks,” he added.
“Anton Lienert-Brown seems to be getting a bit more faith put in him by Dave Rennie than perhaps he’s had in previous seasons, where he’s played a lot more the impact role, and I think he’s an absolutely wonderful player whether it’s at 12 or 13.
“Quinn Tupaea equally can play at 12 or 13 and he’s been impressive as well. They’ve lost Billy Proctor back home so that makes the selection headache slightly less.”
