Munster v All Blacks XV: Eight stars desperate to prove a point including Ireland’s ‘War God’ and New Zealand’s ‘nearly man’
Split with Munster's Peter O'Mahony and All Blacks XV's Shaun Stevenson.
This weekend an All Blacks XV face Munster in a clash designed for development and with that in mind, we have selected eight stars who will be looking to prove a point to their national selectors.
Finlay Christie
It seems a massive drop off for the livewire scrum-half who was a consistent selection in the Ian Foster era but can’t get much of a look in since Scott Robertson took over the All Blacks helm.
Still, Christie brings great tempo to the attack through quick, sharp passes with a decent enough kicking game. Facing Munster in this environment could be just what he needs to play with a bit of freedom and express himself which is when he is at his best.
Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima look to be locked in the pecking order but TJ Perenara is set to leave for Japan next year meaning there is a slot for the taking.
Harry Plummer
It is an interesting one; while much time and energy has been put into the underwhelming Damian McKenzie project at fly-half, Plummer has been stuck in the stands watching on.
Of course, experience favours the Chiefs man but Plummer had a brilliant season with the title-winning Blues and just looks like a smooth operator who is never flustered. The Auckland star offers security in the fly-half channel and looks a decent fit for Test rugby.
He will be wise to the fact that there are still question marks over the All Blacks’ best 10 so a strong outing this weekend could influence Razor to roll the dice later on in the tour – game on for Plummer.
Quinn Tupaea
At the end of 2022, the centre looked like he was going to march into the World Cup year as the All Blacks‘ incumbent 12 and push for a really big year in his career. That was until that horrific Darcy Swain cleanout robbed Tupaea of an entire year of rugby.
It is amazing to see his name back on a teamsheet after having to learn to run all over again let alone play rugby. Jordie Barrett may be entrenched in 12 shirt but the Chiefs man will be desperate to show his brutal class again.
All rugby fans loved seeing his inclusion in this line-up.
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Shaun Stevenson
New Zealand’s nearly man. Stevenson despite some electric attacking form has been sitting on the fringes for a long time, with his defence the major drawback of his game. That and Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett and Stephen Perofeta don’t help much.
The funny thing is that Stevenson will likely have a stormer and score at least one try in this clash against Munster but it still won’t be enough to get him into the full All Blacks squad.
Still, he will play with freedom and his former coach Clayton McMillian from the Chiefs will know exactly how to get the most out of him.
Ruben Love
The new Christian Cullen. Well, at least that is what has been said about the Hurricanes full-back who is blessed with the natural ability to beat players at will. There is no doubt Love has massive potential and will add to his sole Test cap.
Named on the bench for this one behind Stevenson but probably higher than the Chief in the overall pecking order, still it gives Love a chance to come for a sharp and electric cameo at the backend of the game. Expect him to be a very lethal player when he takes to the pitch.
Peter O’Mahony
The veteran flank’s Test career is in a precarious state given his 35-year-old tag and slightly unlucky run with injuries. It feels like a natural succession has taken place with the Irish captaincy in the hands of Caelan Doris now. However, that does not mean O’Mahony will take it lying down; you don’t get the nickname ‘War God’ without being an absolute competitor.
The Irish centurion returns from injury and his goal will be to make it through the game unscathed while reminding everyone that he still has some time in him at the highest level. We get the feeling it is a critical game for O’Mahony regarding where his career goes from here.
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John Hodnett
We go from one man who is slowly falling out of the system to one who never got the chance to get into it. You have to feel for the flank who has been a consistent warrior in Munster red for years now and it was expected after that titanic match-winning performance in the URC final a couple of seasons ago he would get the nod for Ireland, but it was not to be.
In typical Hodnett fashion, he will just stick his head down and go about his work with little fuss or noise. Expect the flank to put in a tireless shift as he too tries to issue a reminder of his quality.
Billy Burns
It is very early days in the fly-half’s Munster career but this already feels like a massive game. The reality is that Burns sits behind Jack Crowley for club and behind even more players for country. Age is not his side as a 30-year-old so there is a sense it is now or never for the pivot.
Big game for Burns.
