Justin Marshall claims ‘ship has sailed’ for Hoskins Sotutu and another All Blacks forward
Hoskins Sotutu in action for the Blues (James Foy/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire) and All Blacks great Justin Marshall.
Justin Marshall has predicted that Scott Robertson will once again overlook Hoskins Sotutu for the All Blacks this year irrespective of how he performs for the Blues.
The number eight’s omission from the first squad the 50-year-old named as New Zealand head coach was a big surprise.
It proved to be the correct choice with Wallace Sititi, who was chosen ahead of Sotutu, being named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Blues struggles hampering Sotutu
The Blues back-rower remains hopeful of a Test recall, but the form of the Auckland outfit this season has not helped his cause.
However, he was impressive in their victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific play-off clash on Saturday as they qualified for the semi-finals, and two more standout displays may convince Robertson that he can hack it at international level.
Marshall remains unconvinced, though, and believes that the All Blacks boss will not pick either him or fellow loose forward Dalton Papali’i in his 35.
“This is not a personal opinion, I feel they’re a victim of the way the Blues have been playing. I think the ship has sailed for both of them,” he told The Breakdown.
“The type of game the Blues are playing is definitely not the type of game that the All Blacks will want to play, so then you’re not really showing balance in your game.
“Their lack of ability to have really consistent rugby, consistent time on the field and then playing a style of game that suits your DNA, it hasn’t helped either one of them.
“Hoskins at the weekend, it was the perfect opportunity for him to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in because of the way the game unfolded, and that just played into the wheelhouse of the way the Blues wanted it to.
“There’s no doubt about the fact that he’s not playing poorly, Dalton’s not playing poorly, but I just don’t think they fit the mix that the All Blacks want to select.”
Sotutu’s England links
Sotutu’s situation is particularly fascinating as he will qualify to play for either England or Fiji at the end of this year should he not earn a Test cap for the All Blacks in 2025.
There have been reports that English Premiership clubs have looked at potentially bringing him to Europe despite his New Zealand Rugby contract running until the end of 2026.
Those rumours have died down recently but they will no doubt resurface should the number eight once again be overlooked by Robertson.
Meanwhile, Papali’i started 2024 as New Zealand’s first choice openside but his last Test of the year came in the Rugby Championship clash against Argentina.
“I would like to think that the All Blacks are going to play a lot differently to what the Blues have. It’s no fault of theirs, that’s their way and they’re starting to play well at that,” Wilson’s fellow All Blacks great, Mils Muliaina, said.
“I would think they (All Blacks) will be a little bit more expansive. It’s the style that Razor wants to implement which will be the difference.”
