Is it possibly Richie McCaw's final tour as an AB? This year seems to indicate that he hasn't got the gas in the tank he once had and as an openside is slowly but surely losing touch with the pace of the game. Yes certainly, he does some very good things, but he's also prone (and consistently) infringing in the breakdown areas and often in point scoring zones. Are there any better to replace him though, and who?
Well before I touch upon successors I'd like to comment that McCaw goes on the NH tour, purely as the experienced team captain not onfield captain (Read please), and playing blindside, just as an exercise to introduce possible successors on the other side. One area we are really weak is openside flankers and injuries being injuries, if we don't have one or two up to scratch to step in very big shoes then we can kiss RWC15 goodbye.
So who are the successors. Cane is obvious as he's there, but I'm not sure he's the best in the country. Todd continues to show good form and decision making for the Cantabs and should be given a chance. But a bolter for me would be Callum Gibbins from Manawatu. A solid workhorse and opportunist, and very big, mobile and fast. All season he has been a standout for the Turbos and I'm thinking he's putting his hand up at the right time. My wish is for either of these three, especially Todd, be given the boots in tests to bolster our depth.
Others that could be considered on the outer? Conrad, like Richie, a long serving and still quite capable player, but is that tooth getting too long, more especially surrounding his concussion issues. It's fair to say there is backup in the form of Ben Smith, but what about SBW? Imagine Fekitoa and SBW banging away at oppositions with ball in hand? Oh did someway say Nonu? Sorry guys, he's been a great servant but to be honest the past two years have been less than spectacular, sure shines in the odd game, but by and large a journeyman and come RWC15 those kind of players need to be offloaded.
I also admire Kevie's contributions, but once again the tooth is long and speed gone. Step up Rob Foreman from Manawatu (can you tell I'm a Turbo Fan). Gutsy honest hardworking footy player and a dab hand with his runs in the ruck area. Great ball winner too in tackle situation. And in all the games I watched him play this year I saw one crooked throw and that was his first one on a blustery Boneyard pitch. But there may be others. Coles has cemented his place as the number one rake, but I also feel Hansen is bringing him off too early. Coles is good for 70 minutes.
And what of Hansen? His last tour or keep him for RWC15? Yup winning rugby is good rugby and the AB's are winning. Well not quite.
Versus England, won two very tight games, then a blowout in the third.
Versus Australia, a draw, a blowout, and a just about lost it one.
Versus Springboks a 4 point win and a loss
and versus Argentina a fairly close one considering (19 points) and a blowout.
Points scored 277 against 174 so currently the Hansen AB's are winning games by 28 - 17 against all opposition. Yes it's fair to say that scoreline in every game would be very nice to achieve, but what those stats don't tell you is that the really tight ones ARE really tight and not a guaranteed 100% win ratio. And with players getting older in the tooth it's also fair to say there will be more losses and can we tolerate that?
So who is waiting in the wings as coach if Hansen's team fails on it's NH tour? Why panic, we need him for continuity for the RWC right? Bollocks I say, If a player doesn't perform to ability he's dropped. Conversely, if a coach can't get the required results surely he's gone? Step up Dave Rennie, get ya kit ready for England mate.
Me panic? Hell no, I'm in the camp that says winning All Black Rugby is the pinnacle. Like Team New Zealand's defeat, losing is ignominious and I just can't stand The Men in Black losing. Yes I know it does happen but right now we have a royal chance of a twopeat but that won't happen if the team isn't selected to play that competition and not because they've had a right of passage. Bring in new talent now so come the RWC we're not trying to get combinations and match fitness set.
Having said all that, I will take the opportunity to thank Maa, Conrad, Richie, and Kevie for their sterling service to NZ and world rugby. You'll all live long in many peoples minds and memories. As for Shag, humph!! Nuff said.
No comments:
Post a Comment