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The big winners from the first three All Blacks Tests of the year

The big winners from the first three All Blacks Tests of the year

1News3 days ago
Analysis: Lock Fabian Holland was the best of the new crop, while a super-sub midfielder proved he is too valuable for the bench, writes Patrick McKendry.
The hard data on the first three Tests of the year is in for All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, who will have seen several newcomers repay his faith, including Fabian Holland and Du'Plessis Kirifi, and several veterans enhance their reputations, most obviously Beauden Barrett and younger brother Jordie.
Holland, the 22-year-old Netherlands-born lock with one of the better backstories at this level, looked every inch the international second-rower over three 80-minute Tests, with Kirifi displaying an impressive maturity in adapting to his late call-up to start Saturday's 29-19 victory over France in Hamilton.
Beauden Barrett's stocks, meanwhile, probably rose after the weekend despite not being involved in the Test due to a hand fracture which Robertson is confident will heal in time for the start of the Rugby Championship next month.
Barrett brought a calmness to the first two Tests that was not evident at Waikato Stadium under Damian McKenzie's stewardship, although that should be mitigated by the experimental look to the All Blacks line-up which clearly exacerbated the lack of cohesion.
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There is no doubt either than Jordie is by far the nation's best second-five and, if anything, his sabbatical at Irish club Leinster appears to have moulded him into a more complete Test player.
Used to running against big European defenders, Jordie, who replaced Quinn Tupaea ahead of the final quarter, was the perfect player to break down the stubborn French resistance due to his willingness to charge headlong into metaphorical brick walls.
It took bravery to consistently do that and also sent a message that Jordie, a late inclusion to the bench due to Rieko Ioane's hamstring issue on the eve of the match, was a threat every time he got the ball.
It was Jordie's decisiveness to take on France replacement lock Romain Taofifenua – all 2.0m and 135kg of him – which led to Brodie McAlister's game-sealing try. His scramble back on defence to close out the flying Emilien Gailleton in the corner when his team was defending a 22-19 lead should not be underestimated either.
Jordie Barrett, left, and brother Beauden after the first Test in Dunedin. (Source: Photosport)
Tupaea, in his first Test in three years, appeared stretched at times as he re-adjusted to the pace of Test rugby.
The All Blacks squad dispersed yesterday but one of Tupaea's review clips will likely feature an attack in the first half when his side, trailing 10-16 at the time, won excellent ball from a quick lineout in their own territory and McKenzie found him in a lot of space with Anton Lienert-Brown, Ruben Love and Will Jordan outside him.
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It was a four-on-two situation but, rather than exploit that with the array of attacking talent at his disposal, Tupaea cut back in, was tackled, and then penalised for not releasing the ball. French captain Gael Fickou showed his experience at the breakdown by coming in from the side and disrupting the All Blacks' support players.
Robertson was clearly happy with the impact of his bench in Hamilton, and rightly so given the physicality of prop George Bower, hooker Brodie McAlister and loose forward Dalton Papali'i, but Jordie made the largest contribution and a problem for the head coach is that the 28-year-old is too valuable to be on the bench for the biggest Tests.
Veteran hooker Codie Taylor's performances over the first two Tests also underlined his importance to the side, while Ardie Savea, installed as captain after Scott Barrett's calf tear in Dunedin, was his usual inspirational self.
Will Jordan, who scored his 41st Test try in his 43rd Test at the weekend, is clearly the nation's best outside back – no matter where he plays in the back three.
A word, too, on Tupou Vaa'i, the converted blindside flanker who was missed by his team in Hamilton.
He may have been a reluctant convert from lock when first asked to play in the black No.6 jersey at the 2023 World Cup but he proved in Dunedin and Wellington that he has the instincts to excel there.
With prop Tamaiti Williams (knee) and Wallace Sititi (ankle) to return, the All Blacks' pack will feature, power, pace and creativity for the upcoming Tests against Argentina, South Africa and Australia, starting with the Pumas in Cordoba on August 17.
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Look out, too, for the inclusion of the returning Leicester Fainga'anuku, a midfielder or wing who possesses all of the above qualities, for the Rugby Championship squad of 36 that Robertson will name on August 4.
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Four more tries elevated his tally to 42 (from 44 tests) to edge ever closer to claiming the All Blacks' record. With 10 more tests this year few would bet against Jordan reeling in Jeff Willson (44 tires in 60 tests), Beauden Barrett (45 in 136), Julian Savea (46 in 54), Joe Rokocoko (46 in 68) and Christian Cullen 46 in 58, before setting his sights on Doug Howlett (49 in 62). Biggest mover: Fabian Holland Three successive 80-minute shifts is a huge effort for anyone, let alone a test rookie. Holland started on debut at his adopted Dunedin home to realise his dream of becoming the first Netherlands-born All Black. And with Scott Barrett ruled out of tests two and three against France, he retained starting status alongside Patrick Tuipulotu. Some test rookies need time to find their feet, to grasp the increased pace and physicality. Holland, though, never looked overawed. Comparisons to Brodie Retallick are premature – Holland has a long way to match Retallick's physicality with ball in hand – but with 27 lineout wins, 44 of 46 tackles and 112 rucks hit across the three tests, there is no questioning his long-term value to the All Blacks. Holland is 22 and merely getting started. Injuries permitting, he could well forge into a test centurion. His towering presence offsets major second-row depth concerns, too, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Sam Darry, the latter debuting last season before injury struck him down, waiting in the wings behind Barrett, Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i. All Blacks lock Fabian Holland has impressed in three test. Photo / SmartFrame Bench balance and finishing One clear directive from the All Blacks this year, after the four tests they lost in 2024 came after leading at half time, was to improve their finishing. Elements of this area have, indeed, improved. The scrum is one notable weapon thanks to the depth of their front row stocks. In the first test in Dunedin and the third in Hamilton, the All Blacks replacement front row earned crucial, match-turning penalties. With what's to come such depth and confidence in this platform cannot be understated. The balance of the All Blacks bench is not there yet, though. In the first and second tests, with their best side selected, the All Blacks scored 10 points in the final quarter. And while they finished strong in Hamilton, Jordie Barrett injected the most impact, with a try-saving tackle and the definitive line break for Brodie McAlister's late strike. Barrett would usually be starting, though. The tactic of selecting two loose forwards on the bench hasn't paid off – and the lineout malfunctioned to lose three throws when the pressure ramped up in the third test. When the likes of Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi, Scott Barrett, Asafo Aumua and Caleb Clarke return from injury, the All Blacks bench will significantly strengthen by putting the squeeze on the starting side. Playing style The intent to play fast – with quick taps and lineouts – and impose fatigue was widely evident from the All Blacks. This year, everyone is one the same page. Even under scoreboard pressure they did not deviate from the script. Through offloads, pace and attacking intent, the All Blacks are, essentially, playing to their inherent strengths. Wayne Smith's chaos theory, based on movement and keeping the ball alive with multiple attacking threats, appears to have influenced the stylistic shift. To achieve that, the All Blacks must achieve lightning quick ball. Their breakdown was compromised in the first and third tests to shine a light on their carry-and-clean urgency and technique. French No 8 Mickaël Guillard caused problems there and as the Pumas and Springboks loom, the All Blacks must address this area. Their penchant for conceding points from restarts and striking the right kick-pass balance will be other focal points. They will, though, be pleased with the leadership and composure to overcome late disruption and fight through difficult situations to emerge on top. That wasn't always the case last year. Selection Project 4/4/4 – four deep in each position over four years to win a fourth World Cup – is progressing with six more rookies – Ollie Norris, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Brodie McAlister, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Holland, Christian Lio-Willie – introduced. After missing multiple opportunities to expose fringe talent last year Robertson seized his first chance to rotate in the third test by making 10 starting changes. While the raft of adjustments stunted performance, the benefits of blooding prospects should show in time. The drop off from incumbents to the next tier is most telling at hooker and halfback. Aumua's return from his hamstring issue will improve the hooking stocks but Codie Taylor is only truly appreciated in his absence. Cam Roigard is levels above his competition, too. No one in New Zealand compares to Roigard's booming boot and sniping runs. Roigard, having only played 12 tests, is in the infancy of his All Blacks career but he is already among the world's elite halfbacks, such is his growing influence. Elsewhere, selection questions remain at centre, where Billy Proctor needs further investment, blindside flanker with the All Blacks likely to persist with Tupou Vaa'i's switch despite Samipeni Finau's impressive performance in Hamilton and the up-for-grab wings. First five-eighths depth evokes concern, but it is perhaps unfair to judge Damian McKenzie on one performance in a vastly reshaped team. Damian McKenzie makes a break against France. Photo / Photosport Biggest concern Of all the positional question marks, wing is among the most contestable. New Zealand has a long history of producing superb finishers but uncertainty prevails over who will emerge to demand starting status. Two late reshuffles – Caleb Clarke's injury in Wellington and Rieko Ioane's withdrawal in Hamilton – didn't help progress plans but after selecting two specialist wings in July, the All Blacks are arguably no closer to determining their best finishing options. Clarke's ankle injury that may sideline him for another five-to-six weeks was a notable setback as the second test stage was set for him to recapture the form that locked down the No 11 jersey for the first time in his career last year. Clarke could yet tick many boxes for the All Blacks. He's a power wing, in the mould Robertson tends to favour, and the best edge option in the air – one area France exposed the All Blacks. But after a quiet season where he's yet to score a try, Clarke needs game time to cement his claims. Jordan, the All Blacks' first-choice fullback, was their best winger against France. By some distance, too. He scored two tries in Dunedin after shifting to the edge in the first minute – and was then among the All Blacks most prominent figures two weeks later after a late promotion from the bench. Sevu Reece wasn't helped by his first-minute exit in Dunedin after a head knock but he has everything to prove at test level after an underwhelming All Blacks season last year where his pace and erratic tendencies sparked concern. Reece is also 28 – the age when All Blacks wingers traditionally decline. By the 2027 World Cup, it's difficult to envision him being the form finisher the All Blacks need. The jury remains out on Rieko Ioane's back-to-the-future switch from centre to the wing, too, which shouldn't surprise given this test series was the first time in four years he started on the edge at any level. There's a strong argument the All Blacks missed a trick by not selecting form Chiefs wings Emoni Narawa and Leory Carter in their July squad – and instead including six midfielders. Narawa started the second test in Wellington but only after Clarke's late exit to continue a lack of faith in his abilities at test level. Other emerging options include Caleb Tangitau, a revelation for the Highlanders before injury prematurely ended his campaign, and Crusaders wing/fullbacks Chay Fihaki. Leicester Fainga'anuku has returned from France to play for Tasman in the NPC and is a certainty to be called up for the All Blacks northern tour squad. Where Fainga'anuku features remains to be seen but he spent the bulk of his two years with Toulon at centre. Context Would the All Blacks have won this series against France's first-choice team? There's no definitive answer, but it does pose context to take stock of the vastly understrength opposition to start the year. The All Blacks can only play who is in front of them. NZ Rugby had no say in the longstanding agreement between the French Top 14 clubs and Les Bleus that prevents the national team from selecting players involved in their domestic final for the July internationals, which duly undermines the elite arena. The second test blowout aside, where rookies were thrown to the wolves, France's performances belied their second-string nature to speak to the Top 14's depth of talent. France cannot be accused of turning up merely for wines on Waiheke, picnics in Hamilton Gardens or soaking up Dunedin's St Clair beach. Their defensive effort in the final week of their arduous season, where they made 292 tackles, 172 more than the All Blacks, underscores their tenacity for the fight. Scott Robertson's men will faces tougher challenges against Argentina and South Africa. Photo / Photosport Assessing the All Blacks against the backdrop of France leaving their best talent at home, though, is a somewhat fraught exercise. In some ways it's the ideal start that allowed traditional rust to be shaken off and Robertson the selection freedom to use his full squad while banking wins. Now the real business arrives in the form of the Rugby Championship, starting with two away tests in Argentina before the world champion Springboks arrive for a tilt at breaking Eden Park's 50 match unbeaten run and a return clash in Wellington the following week. Those four tests between August 17 and September 13 will reveal exactly where the All Blacks sit. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.

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