“We’re just looking for a little bit more versatility.’’
So said All Blacks coach Scott Robertson on Monday, in trying to explain the omission of Ethan Blackadder from the 35-man squad to meet France next month.
In the case of loose forward Jacobson, it’s Blackadder’s Crusaders teammate Christian Lio-Willie that is next up. That’s how far down the depth chart Blackadder obviously is.
I mention this as a way of getting to Du’Plessis Kirifi, who’s been away with the All Blacks before but is listed as a new cap now.
It is a versatile five-man loose forward contingent if, for argument’s sake, we include the injured Jacobson. He can play all three positions in the trio, even if that’s without proving himself a first-choice selection in any.
Oh yes, it’s a versatile group of blokes all right. You’ve got Kirifi, who plays 7 and is too diminutive to play anywhere else. And you’ve got Samipeni Finau, who is an out-and-out 6.
That’s versatility right there.
I want to like Robertson. I want him to do well and for the team to do the nation proud. Life’s easier as a columnist when all you have to do is praise people.
But I’m afraid I become a little bit irritable and uncharitable when coaches start talking cobblers.
Blackadder, to my eye, was the best player on the park during the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific final victory over the Chiefs on Saturday. Whether at blindsideflanker, where he started the match, or on the openside where he finished it, Blackadder’s workrate and hunger for the ball shone through.
It was only matched by Tom Christie, who began the match in the 7 jersey for the home side.
Good player, Christie. Great fetcher, brave, accurate. And seemingly in no danger of ever becoming an All Black.
Perhaps he’s just not as aware of where the cameras are as Kirifi is. I’ll give Kirifi his due in that regard – few players are better at creating the impression of greatness than he is.
I had to chuckle as I scanned analysis of Monday’s squad naming. One scribe crowned Kirifi as arguably the best openside in Super Rugby this year.
Never mind that Moana Pasifika’s Ardie Savea was the competition’s player of the year.
And that’s partly why I’ve banged on about this idea of versatility.
Savea is hugely versatile, having previously excelled at 6 and 8 for the All Blacks. However, it seems as if openside might become the vice-captain’s regular spot this season, as part of a trio with Wallace Sititi on the back of the scrum and Finau the blindside.
I don’t see how they can configure it any other way, really. You could go Savea at 8, Kirifi at 7 and Sititi at 6, but then your trio is so small it’s not even funny.
Lineouts options become an issue at that point, not to mention the absence of a physical threat in defence.
I discount Jacobson from the equation, regardless of fitness, because I doubt he deserves to start a game ahead of any of the others. Blackadder would, but he’s not there.
So, as I look at the guys who have been picked, I see Savea as the obvious openside. And, given his talent, influence and leadership position, he (fitness permitting) ought to play every minute of every important test match this season.
Do you carry a like-for-like replacement for him on the bench, as Kirifi would be? Or does the Hurricane just sit in the stands?
I personally prefer my bench loose forward to be more versatile, especially given Savea’s not going to be subbed off too often.
Some of this might come across as a bit snarky or personal. It’s not.
I’m merely looking at who’s been picked, who hasn’t and the justifications of the coach for those decisions. For me, they don’t add up in the loose forwards and I haven’t even gotten onto the backline yet.
That’ll have to wait for another day.
Congratulations to all 35 men who’ve made the cut. It’s a proud moment for them, their families and the many friends, teammates and coaches who’ve been with them on this journey. It remains a great honour to be named an All Black and we wish them all the best.
I just looked at the squad and felt underwhelmed and confused.
Let’s hope the performances can inspire a bit more confidence about the direction this team’s headed in.
