Stocktake time
Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:30 am
Let's have a squiz at each position, and see how the cupboard's looking at the moment.
Hooker
The depth here is actually pretty good, with each team having at least one hooker with test experience. Codie Taylor, despite having only 15 caps, will be in his 3rd year as a consistent All Black squad member, while the third hooker position has healthy competition in the form of Nathan Harris, James Parsons and Liam Coltman. Harris would probably have a hell of a lot more than 3 caps to his name, were it not for his frequent injury problems, which probably puts Coltman and Parsons slightly ahead of him - Coltman has a longer future than Parsons, while Parsons is now a seasoned veteran of provincial and Super Rugby, with reasonable leadership experience. There is also the forgotten man that is Hika Elliot, who's 2015 call-up indicates he's still on the selectors' minds, while Ash Dixon can provide further coverage there, and on current form, he probably deserves a look (and would likely have got one, were it not for his comparatively advanced age). Longer term, we also saw the emergence of Ricky Riccitelli at the Hurricanes as Coles' more than able back-up.
Prop
Out of the specialists, both loosehead and tighthead have a couple of capable players - the stalwarts that are Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks, as well as Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala, who was desperately unlucky to get injured last year.
At loosehead, backing up Crockett and Moody is Pauliasi Manu, who is the only World Cup winner to receive a winner's medal before his test debut, whom based on his call-up to the 2015 RWC squad, is the 3rd choice loosehead when fit.
At tighthead, the impending departure of Charlie Faumuina will hurt stocks, but this will be Jeff Toomaga-Allen's chance to force his way back into test contention.
Out of the utility props, Tu'ungafasi clearly is rated by the selectors, as he has the raw tools to be world class while Kane Hames has quietly achieved a fair amount, earning a call-up to the Bledisloe series last year. Another utility is Riccitelli, who has logged plenty of time at loosehead prop for Hawke's Bay, making him a potentially useful squad member.
Locks
Definitely one of the points of strength for the All Blacks, with two of the best locks in the world in Retallick and Whitelock, with Luke Romano as a solid back-up, while Scott Barrett made a comfortable transition to test rugby. It's hard to gauge whether there is a lack of depth in quality though, as the sudden dearth of locks in Chicago last year was one of those freak occurrences where the two starters were suddenly unavailable in the short-term and the best back-up had to go home due to personal reasons.
That said, we've also seen Paddy Tuipulotu emerge, while Dom Bird had a solid campaign for the Chiefs last year - another one this year could force the selectors' hands. The selectors are also clearly keen on Tom Franklin, who was unlucky not to get a chance to earn a test cap.
Long term, we saw a big first season for Michael Fatialofa, who impressed with the Hurricanes. Other prospects include Northland's Josh Goodhue and Tasman's Quinten Strange, who will be with the Blues and the Crusaders, respectively this year.
Loose Forwards
The squad will have 3 experienced blindside flankers to consider, with the incumbent Jerome Kaino, the resurgent Steven Luatua and the returning Liam Messam. Kaino, barring injury or a disastrous loss of form, will probably hold the 6 jersey (or 8 if needed), meaning Messam and Luatua will not only be competing with each other, but also Elliot Dixon and Josh Squire from the capped bunch, as well as the likes of Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders, and the Hurricanes' Brad Shields.
Openside flanker is also in fairly rude health, with Sam Cane, Ardie Savia and Matt Todd all making solid claims for the 7 jersey last year. Of the uncapped mob, Northland's Pryor brothers (Dan and Kara) have impressed at 7 for their respective Super Rugby sides, while Blake Gibson potentially has a big future ahead of him.
No. 8 also sees some solid back-ups to captain Kieran Read, with Akira Ioane, Luke Whitelock and Blade Thomson likely having to also prove they can fill in at 6 or 7. Victor Vito's departure is definitely not ideal (although understandable), which will probably put Thomson or Shields in with a shout.
Hooker
The depth here is actually pretty good, with each team having at least one hooker with test experience. Codie Taylor, despite having only 15 caps, will be in his 3rd year as a consistent All Black squad member, while the third hooker position has healthy competition in the form of Nathan Harris, James Parsons and Liam Coltman. Harris would probably have a hell of a lot more than 3 caps to his name, were it not for his frequent injury problems, which probably puts Coltman and Parsons slightly ahead of him - Coltman has a longer future than Parsons, while Parsons is now a seasoned veteran of provincial and Super Rugby, with reasonable leadership experience. There is also the forgotten man that is Hika Elliot, who's 2015 call-up indicates he's still on the selectors' minds, while Ash Dixon can provide further coverage there, and on current form, he probably deserves a look (and would likely have got one, were it not for his comparatively advanced age). Longer term, we also saw the emergence of Ricky Riccitelli at the Hurricanes as Coles' more than able back-up.
Prop
Out of the specialists, both loosehead and tighthead have a couple of capable players - the stalwarts that are Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks, as well as Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala, who was desperately unlucky to get injured last year.
At loosehead, backing up Crockett and Moody is Pauliasi Manu, who is the only World Cup winner to receive a winner's medal before his test debut, whom based on his call-up to the 2015 RWC squad, is the 3rd choice loosehead when fit.
At tighthead, the impending departure of Charlie Faumuina will hurt stocks, but this will be Jeff Toomaga-Allen's chance to force his way back into test contention.
Out of the utility props, Tu'ungafasi clearly is rated by the selectors, as he has the raw tools to be world class while Kane Hames has quietly achieved a fair amount, earning a call-up to the Bledisloe series last year. Another utility is Riccitelli, who has logged plenty of time at loosehead prop for Hawke's Bay, making him a potentially useful squad member.
Locks
Definitely one of the points of strength for the All Blacks, with two of the best locks in the world in Retallick and Whitelock, with Luke Romano as a solid back-up, while Scott Barrett made a comfortable transition to test rugby. It's hard to gauge whether there is a lack of depth in quality though, as the sudden dearth of locks in Chicago last year was one of those freak occurrences where the two starters were suddenly unavailable in the short-term and the best back-up had to go home due to personal reasons.
That said, we've also seen Paddy Tuipulotu emerge, while Dom Bird had a solid campaign for the Chiefs last year - another one this year could force the selectors' hands. The selectors are also clearly keen on Tom Franklin, who was unlucky not to get a chance to earn a test cap.
Long term, we saw a big first season for Michael Fatialofa, who impressed with the Hurricanes. Other prospects include Northland's Josh Goodhue and Tasman's Quinten Strange, who will be with the Blues and the Crusaders, respectively this year.
Loose Forwards
The squad will have 3 experienced blindside flankers to consider, with the incumbent Jerome Kaino, the resurgent Steven Luatua and the returning Liam Messam. Kaino, barring injury or a disastrous loss of form, will probably hold the 6 jersey (or 8 if needed), meaning Messam and Luatua will not only be competing with each other, but also Elliot Dixon and Josh Squire from the capped bunch, as well as the likes of Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders, and the Hurricanes' Brad Shields.
Openside flanker is also in fairly rude health, with Sam Cane, Ardie Savia and Matt Todd all making solid claims for the 7 jersey last year. Of the uncapped mob, Northland's Pryor brothers (Dan and Kara) have impressed at 7 for their respective Super Rugby sides, while Blake Gibson potentially has a big future ahead of him.
No. 8 also sees some solid back-ups to captain Kieran Read, with Akira Ioane, Luke Whitelock and Blade Thomson likely having to also prove they can fill in at 6 or 7. Victor Vito's departure is definitely not ideal (although understandable), which will probably put Thomson or Shields in with a shout.