Auckland – The All Blacks secured a second French predictable series sweep this month to allow Scott Robertson to make the desired start to the season.
But there’s more than ever eye-catching, and this year there’s a tougher test match, with Liam Napier analyzing the pros and cons of the All Black.
New kids on the block:
Let’s start with a positive note. It is rare for a test rookie to reach the elite stage easily. Wallace Cititie and English loose forward Henry Pollock are notable exceptions. That too is all black Rockfabian Holland.
The Dutch road to the All Blacks was quickly tracked last year when World Rugby cleared his eligibility path – after moving from the 16-year-old Holland to New Zealand.
The 22-year-old now spends his time camping on last year’s Northern Tour, absorbing knowledge among senior players such as Samkane and the All Blacks management, and has the ability to quickly look at home in training.
The Netherlands was destined to be promoted to All Black Steam this year. That was a problem when. But no one imagined he would run through three consecutive 80-minute shifts against France.
Some were inevitably unnecessary after Black Captain Scott Barrett was removed from the second and third tests, but Dutch performance demanded he be held.
At 2.04 metres, the Netherlands is a towering asset of the All Blacks. In his first three Tests, he claimed a 27 lineout, creating 44 out of 46 tackles and hit 112 backpacks to highlight his workplace.
He has already compared to Brodie Reallick and could make progress to become All Blacks Centurion, but there is some way to consistently prove his physicality against the world’s best and biggest forward pack. However, when it comes to introductions, the Netherlands presented themselves on the world stage.
Series players:
We highlighted the incredible strike rate of Will Jordan, a few weeks ago.
Jordan shows no signs of slowing down. He bagged four attempts from three outings against France, raising his tally from 44 tests to 42.
He was rarely opposed to him in the 10th Test this year before setting up Jeff Wilson (44 tires in 60 tests), Borden Barrett (45 for 136), Julian Saver (44 for 54), Joe Rocococo (46 for 68), 58-year-old Christian Cullen 46 and Howlett (49 for 49).
Cam Roigard of Ardie Savea envisioned a leadership mantle from the injured Scott Barrett, while Patrick Tuipulotu was another person to display in a big way against France.
Screams to the French:
Before this series, widespread criticism and frustration were evident in France sending B-teams to New Zealand.
NZ rugby had no say, but a long-standing agreement between France’s top 14 clubs and Rebrus could prevent them from choosing players to be involved in the International’s national final in July, which properly undermines the elite arena.
Apart from a second Test blowout at Wellington, where the rookie was thrown into the wolf, the French performance betrayed the nature of their second string to highlight the depth of the talent of the second string.
Halfback Nolan Le Garrec, 20-year-old behind Theo Atossogbe and loose forward Mikkael Gillard were impressed as France had seriously tested the All Blacks.
France’s defensive efforts in the final week of their hard-working season. They make 292 tackles 172 more than the All Blacks, and repeat their tenacity towards the fight.
The persistent, lingering question of the All Blacks is, did they win the series against the French first-choice team?
There is no definitive answer, but raises the context to grasp the opposition of the very strength to begin the year.
Therefore, evaluating the all-black against a French background is a somewhat difficult movement.
Checked box:
Robertson is pleased to continue Project 4/4/4 – developing four depths in each position over four years, winning the fourth World Cup.
The All Blacks promoted six more rookies in the series – Ollie Norris, Timosi Tabatavanawai, Brody McAllister, Duplesis Kilifi, Holland and Christian Rio Willie.
Robertson also had the luxury of using a full team with 10 changes in his third Test after regaining the Dave Gallagher Trophy in his commanding victory at Wellington.
Although the adjustment raft has hindered performance, the benefits of a bloody outlook should be shown in time.
These changes shed light on a significant drop from incumbents to Hooker’s next tier and halfback’s next tier.
The centres where Billy Proctor needs further investments remain with choice questions. You’ll need an all-black blind side flanker that can last with the TupouVaa’i switch and glove wings.
Depth of No. 10 also raises concern, with Boden Barrett strengthening his position as a clear first-choice playmaker.
Biggest concern:
Mark Terea’s absence was said as All Black struggled to settle on their favorite wings.
Tele’a missed the choice after signing a lucrative three-year deal with Japanese club Toyota, which controls him from all black fights from the end of the year.
His absence – and the decision to push Rieko Ioane from the center into the wing for the first time in four years left two incumbent finishers from last year, Telea and Caleb Clark with the All Blacks last year.
And after three tests, uncertainty about who will appear takes precedence.
Two slow resizing – Caleb Clark’s training injury before the second test and withdrawal from the third – did not support the progress plan, but after selecting two expert wings in July, All Black is not approaching determining the best finishing option.
Clark’s ankle injury could have kept him aside for another five to six weeks. He was a notable setback as a second test phase was set to regain the form that locked down the 11th place jersey in his career last year.
Clark is a power wing, and Robertson tends to like, with the best edge options in the air – France exposed the All Blacks. But after a quiet season he hasn’t tried yet, Clark needs time in the game to solidify his point.
Jordan, the All Blacks’ first choice fullback, was the best winger against France.
Sevu Reece was not helped by the first minute exit at Dunedin after a head knock, but after last year’s overwhelming All Blacks season, when his pace and volatile tendencies sparked concerns, he has everything to prove at Test level.
Reese is also 28 years old – an age where all black wingers traditionally decline. By the 2027 World Cup, it’s hard to imagine him being the form finisher the All Blacks need.
The ju umpire remains on Ioane’s regeneration switch, with the All Blacks missing the trick by not choosing Form Chiefs’ Wings Emoni Narawa and Rayleigh Carter on their July team, with strong claims involving six midfielders instead.
Narawa began his second test at Wellington, but only after Clark was delayed to continue his lack of faith in his abilities at the test level.
Other emerging options include the Highlanders revelation before Caleb Tanguitou, who ended his campaign early on by his injuries, and Crusades Wing/Fullback Chai Fihaki.
The cavalry returns:
Last season All Blacks player Asaforumua is expected to return from a rugby championship injury to significantly bolster the forward packs of Tamaite Williams, Scott Barrett, Wallace Cityty and Robertson.
Leicester Feinganuk also returned to France from two years, but he must function for NPC Tasman before he first qualifies for All Black.
All Blacks will launch a rugby championship campaign in two away tests in Argentina before the world champion Springboks defeated an unbeaten run in Eden Park and arrives at Tilt with a return crash at Wellington the following week.
These four tests promise to reveal exactly where Robertson’s All Black sits.