Should Scott Robertson make Rieko Ioane U-turn? Justin Marshall addresses the ‘biggest problem’ with All Blacks backline
All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane and former New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall.
Justin Marshall insists that the make-up of the All Blacks backline remains a key issue for Scott Robertson following their Rugby Championship opener.
New Zealand began the competition with a 41-24 victory over Argentina, scoring six tries in the process, but there were still issues with their attacking game.
Plenty of passes went to ground while moves broke down as Robertson’s side once again failed to impress in the outside channels.
Centre conundrum
Billy Proctor was criticised for his display and it has raised the question as to whether Rieko Ioane should be moved back to outside centre.
The All Blacks face Los Pumas in the second of their double header this weekend before the huge Eden Park clash with the Springboks.
“I don’t know if we have completely found the combination that we are assured of and know is functioning well in the midfield,” Marshall told Sport Nation.
“I still think Jordie [Barrett] is ticking away really nicely but whether or not that combination with Billy Proctor is working is still up for debate.”
Ioane has struggled for form over the past 12 months and has once again failed to convince after being shifted to wing.
Robertson could reverse that call, knowing that the Blues star is a reliable option, especially defensively, in the midfield, but Marshall would be reluctant to do that given his lack of game time in the position recently.
“Would they go back to Rieko in the midfield? Against South Africa, it’s probably not the right decision, particularly if he hasn’t really played there much and there’s only one more Test match before we play South Africa,” he said.
“I would say that they won’t, just because of that blitz defence. Not that I’ve seen enough of Billy Proctor that, when that out-to-in defence is coming at him, he’s freeing up our outsides. I saw Jordie rip a couple of passes to that outside channel.”
It all points to the All Blacks experiencing an unusual situation as the recent performances have perhaps exposed a lack of depth in the back three.
That has rarely, if ever, been an issue for New Zealand, who have always seemed to have a plethora of talent out wide, and Marshall has suggested that keeping Ioane on the wing is probably Robertson’s only option.
All Blacks back three
“The biggest problem with the Rieko situation is the injuries to the outside backs. We haven’t cited Caleb Clarke, whether he deserved his spot or not, he is a winger within the squad that is just not playing.
“That means it makes it easier when you don’t have competitiveness in the jersey to keep Rieko on the wing. Sevu Reece had HIA issues in the French series, he was back on the wing, but we used to have incredible depth.
“Leroy Carter’s been brought in out of nowhere and the other guy in the mix is Emoni Narawa, who got an opportunity in Wellington.
“You usually say with good All Blacks teams, you could put down the back three without even thinking about it – they would start every weekend. It’s kind of not been that way for a while.
“We’re always going to chat about whether or not Rieko’s in the right jersey but my counter to that would be, if he’s not playing wing and is instead playing centre, who’s playing wing?”
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