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NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Editorial: All Blacks' reliance on Barrett grows as World Cup nears
He has returned to the starring role and sits atop the billing sheet. After the departure of Richie Mo'unga at the end of the last World Cup, many had pondered if Damian McKenzie would assume the mantle of being the playmaker in the number 10 jersey. Some had hoped he would become the player to guide the All Blacks through to the next World Cup in Australia during 2027. However, despite McKenzie's obvious brilliance at the Super Rugby level it simply hasn't translated to the test arena - not with any consistency. And this is what will cause coach Scott Robertson and his staff to sleep uneasy. Barrett is now 34. He will be 36 at the start of the next World Cup campaign. By that time, he will also likely be the All Blacks' most capped player. The back-to-back World Rugby Player of the Year currently sits on 137 games, quickly closing in on Sam Whitelock's record 153 appearances. Simply, Barrett has played a lot of rugby, and a lot of high-stress rugby. By the time the next World Cup starts he may be close to having played 170 tests. He will sit out tonight's third test against France in Hamilton due to a hand injury, which seems more like a precaution than anything. It is a testament to his preparation and dedication that he has - touch wood - avoided a serious injury that could have curtailed or slowed his career. He appears to still have the explosiveness we famously saw during the 2015 World Cup final. McKenzie, at 30 years old and 63 tests into his career, has shown us what he can offer. The evidence suggests the Chiefs playmaker is best suited to an impact player off the bench and lacks the tactical and kicking game needed for a true field general. Perhaps Razor sees Richie Mo'unga returning into the fold, a move often speculated about. A Herald online poll asked its readers who should be the long-term selection in the ABs' No 10 jersey? Some 3479 of you voted, with 60% wanting Barrett, 18% in favour of Mo'unga and just 9% in McKenzie's camp. Ruben Love garnered 18% but he is yet to show us what he can do at test level. Barrett is clearly the best option for the team now and with a concerning lack of depth at the position he appears to be options one, two and three for a big test match. He needs to be managed, the first sign of which we are seeing tonight as Razor rings in several changes to his team. Father time being what it is - undefeated - we should not assume Barrett will be performing at the current heights as he approaches his late 30s. England's Jonny Wilkinson was 32 at the 2011 World Cup, Dan Carter was 33 in 2015. Both had a history of injuries but were noticeably younger than what Barrett will be in 2027. The All Blacks will be hoping their flyhalf can replicate what Ireland's Johnny Sexton achieved, who was 38 at the 2023 edition of the tournament. But hope is not a plan. Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lions v Wallabies: First Test winners and losers
WINNERS Tom Curry Congratulations to Curry who has held off the claims of Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock and Josh van der Flier to wear the number seven jersey at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Both Morgan and van Flier have spent more time in that jersey in the preceding tour games with Curry having had just one start at openside flanker. He also has inferior tackle stats to Morgan and van der Flier and has turnover Lions ball more times than his rivals, making almost 50 per cent fewer metres from the same number of carries as Wales's Morgan. Yet Curry is a proven Lions Test starter who started at seven in all three Tests against South Africa four years ago. Sione Tuipulotu Scotland's captain may well have started this opening Test at inside centre alongside compatriot Huw Jones regardless, but Garry Ringrose's concussion against the Brumbies nine days ago brought an end to hopes of an all-Irish midfield pairing. Tuipulotu has not been pulling up trees so far on this tour and positional rival Bundee Aki has performed better but the Australian-born 12 appears to have benefitted from the desire to play an established pairing rather than mix and match. Hugo Keenan Keenan's selection at full-back caps a remarkable rebound from a nightmarish start to his first Lions tour. Arriving in Australia injured, the Ireland back then contracted a virus that left him reeling for 12 days. He still had the bug when he made his Lions debut against the Waratahs a fortnight ago and his poor performance in Sydney might have ended his Test hopes there and then. Yet Keenan has been nothing if not resilient and he grabbed his second chance, aided by injury to Blair Kinghorn, with both hands with an impressive display last Saturday in Adelaide against an AUSNZ Invitational XV. LOSERS Jac Morgan A nation weeps with Morgan's omission from the Lions matchday 23, as Wales fail to provide a Test player to the famous touring side for the first time since 1896. There is some justification for Welsh frustration given his productivity at openside flanker in three tour games. Josh van der Flier You could say the same for van der Flier as was mentioned about Morgan, as the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year gets ready to watch the first Test at Suncorp Stadium from the stands. Both men seem to have lost out to more powerful back-row rivals, with Tom Curry starting at openside flanker, backed up by fellow Englishman Ben Earl, whose versatility across the back row and as an auxiliary centre make him an ideal bench replacement. Yet having started 50 of the 56 Ireland Tests under Andy Farrell's watch, this omission will sting. Bundee Aki The Connacht and Ireland centre has the solace of a place on the bench as the outside backs replacement alongside Marcus Smith, who can cover 10 and 15, but Aki's candidacy for the number 12 jersey was possibly compromised when his Irish midfield partner Garry Ringrose was concussed against the Brumbies in Canberra nine days ago and stood down for 12 days.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
5 things to look out for when the Springboks face Italy in Gqeberha
5 things to look out for when the Springboks face Italy in Gqeberha The Springboks are 1–0 up in their two-match series against Italy after a 42–22 win at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday. This weekend they are up against the same Italians in Gqeberha and hoping to make a big impression after a few struggles last Saturday. Coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to the matchday 23 from last week, with a few players set to make their debuts and Willie le Roux to earn his 100th Test cap. Le Roux hits 100 According to The Citizen, the veteran fullback, aged 35 and a national team debutant in 2013, will win his 100th cap for the Boks tomorrow. He becomes the eighth South African to hit the milestone after Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers and Percy Montgomery. In his career, Le Roux has played club and provincial rugby for Boland, Griquas, Cheetahs, Sharks, Wasps in England, Canon Eagles and Toyota Verblitz in Japan, and most recently the Bulls. Newcomers to Bok roll of honour Following Vincent Tshituka's Test debut last weekend in Pretoria, a few other players are set to win their first caps this weekend. While none of the starters are uncapped, three rookies will be on the bench waiting for their opportunity to run on to the field. They are prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye of the Lions, lock Cobus Wiese of the Bulls and centre-wing Ethan Hooker of the Sharks. Wiese and his brother, starting No 8 Jasper, are set to become the 37th set of brothers to play for the Boks. Players keen to make their mark Eight starters and three bench players have fewer than 20 Tests for the Boks and are looking to impress Erasmus to secure more opportunities, especially for The Rugby Championship later this year. In the backs, wing Edwill van der Merwe has just one Test to his name, Canan Moodie has 12 caps, and André Esterhuizen 19. Manie Libbok has also played only 19 Tests, while Grant Williams has 18. In the forwards, lock Ruan Nortjé has six caps and captain and lock partner Salmaan Moerat 10. Tighthead prop Wilco Louw has played 17 Tests. On the bench, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (4), Evan Roos (7) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (8) will want to make an impact. Return of Pieter-Steph du Toit One of world rugby's greatest current players and a former World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is back after missing the start of the season with injury setbacks. The 86-times capped blindside flanker will be among the more experienced players tomorrow, and many teammates will look to him for guidance. Alongside Du Toit, Malcolm Marx (77 Tests) and Moerat are expected to lead the side. Du Toit will aim to show he has overcome his injuries. When he is at his best, the Boks generally reach the standards expected of them. Selections to watch With Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse waiting in the wings as first-choice fullbacks, could this be Le Roux's last Test for the Boks? Canan Moodie, a regular wing, is back at No 13, where he has played before – but how will he fare? Makazole Mapimpi, one of the Boks' heroes of the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, gets another chance to showcase his skills out wide. Moerat is again entrusted with the No 4 jersey and the captaincy, though he is yet to convince at Test level. Could this be his breakthrough moment? Finally, with Esterhuizen starting at centre, will we see him shift to flank later in the game and fulfil his 'hybrid' role?
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Five things to look out for when the Springboks face Italy in Gqeberha
It's a new-look and exciting Springbok team that will run out against Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha on Saturday. Canan Moodie will wear the Bok No 13 jersey against Italy on Saturday. Picture:The Springboks are 1-0 up in their two match series against Italy after a 42-22 win at Loftus Versfeld last Saturday. This weekend they're up against the same Italians, in Gqeberha, and hoping to make a big impression after a few struggles last Saturday. Coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to the matchday-23 from last week, with a few players set to make their debuts and Willie le Roux to earn his 100th Test cap. Here then are five things to know about the Bok team playing this weekend. Willie le Roux hits 100 The veteran fullback, who is 35 years old and who made his debut for the national team in 2013, will win his 100th cap for the Boks on Saturday. He will become the eighth South African to hit the mark after Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtwawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, and Percy Montgomery. In his career, Le Roux has played club and provincial rugby for Boland, Griquas, Cheetahs, Sharks, Wasps in England, Canon Eagles and Toyota Verblitz in Japan, and most recently the Bulls. Newcomers to Bok roll of honour Following Vincent Tshituka's Test debut last weekend in Pretoria, a few other players are set to win their first caps this weekend in the Test in Gqeberha. While non of the starters are uncapped, three rookies will be on the bench, waiting for their opportunity to run on to the field. They are prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye of the Lions, lock Cobus Wiese of the Bulls and centre-wing Ethan Hooker of the Sharks. Wiese and his brother, starting No 8 Jasper, are set to become the 37th set of brothers to play for the Boks. Ethan Hooker will make his debut on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images Players keen to make their mark Eight starters and three bench-sitters have played less than 20 Tests for the Boks and are still looking to impress coach Rassie Erasmus and show they deserve more opportunities in future, and especially for the Rugby Championship later this year. In the backs, wing Edwill van der Merwe has just one Test to his name, Canan Moodie has 12 Tests under the belt and Andre Esterhuizen just 19. Manie Libbok has also just played 19 Tests and Grant Williams 18. In the forwards, lock Ruan Nortje has six caps, and captain and lock partner Salmaan Moerat just 10. Tighthead prop Wilco Louw has played 17 Tests. On the bench, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (4), Evan Roos (7) and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (8) will want to make an impact. Captain for the match Salmaan Moerat. Picture: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images Return of Pieter-Steph du Toit One of world rugby's greatest current players and recent World Rugby Player of the Year, Du Toit is back in business after missing the start of the season because of a few injury setbacks. The 86-times capped blindside flanker will be one of the more experienced players in the team on Saturday and many of those around him will seek him out for guidance. It will be up to Du Toit and Malcolm Marx (77 Tests) to lead the side, along with Moerat. Du Toit will want to deliver a good performance and show he is over his setbacks. When he plays well the Boks generally perform at the standard everyone has come to expect of them. Pieter-Steph du Toit last featured for the Boks on the November tour of Europe. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Selections With Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse the first-choice fullbacks and waiting in the wings, will this be Willie le Roux's last Test for the Boks; it might be. Canan Moodie, a regular wing, is back in the No 13 jersey, where he has played before, but how will he go? Makazole Mapimpi, one of the Boks' heroes of the 2019 World Cup final win, gets another chance out wide to remind everyone of his skills and talents … it's a big Test for him. Salmaan Moerat is again entrusted with the No 4 jersey and the captaincy, though he's yet to convince at Test level. Will this be his big breakthrough moment? And finally, with Andre Esterhuizen in the side, but starting at centre, will we see him shift to flank later in the game and fulfil his new 'hybrid role'?
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Feature: Love him or hate him, Willie le Roux deserves to join Boks' 100-club
Willie le Roux is set to play his 100th Test for the Springboks, against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday. Springbok double World Cup winner Willie le Roux is set to earn his 100th Test cap against the team where it all began. Picture:Few rugby players draw as many raw emotions from fans as the enigmatic and heart-on-sleeve type, Willie le Roux. The Springbok fullback is set to earn his 100th Test cap, having been named in the team to start against Italy in their second Test match in Gqeberha on Saturday. The 35-year-old is a stalwart in the Springbok squad, only missing about two years of rugby in the last 12 for the national side. He's featured in three World Cup squads, winning two of them. He's scored 75 points for the green and gold, all from 15 tries. He demonstrates unique creativity and vision in attack, especially from deep. As years go by, players have increasingly praised his mind for the game. Expressive and unselfish, Le Roux has also been known to feel deeply, wearing his emotions on his face, while giving his all for the team. You will not find a fan in the stadium happier with a win than him, nor will anyone be as distraught after a significant loss as the fullback. Bulls flyhalf Johan Goosen and fullback Willie le Roux appear gutted after their URC final defeat against Leinster this season. Picture: Seb Daly/Gallo Images But Le Roux's inconsistency, especially handling errors, tackling, catching high balls, and decision-making under pressure, earned him a love-hate relationship with fans. Many praise him on good days, but can be harsh on bad ones. Even Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus once turned Le Roux down at the Stormers for lacking skill. On the eve of his 100th Test, however, Erasmus admitted it was a big mistake and said he had come to understand how much Le Roux cares about his rugby and those around him. 'We are very proud of him and we hope we can help him make this a memorable game,' Erasmus said. Willie's growing star Willie le Roux began his professional career with the Boland Cavaliers, helping them win the 2011 First Division title. In 2012, he joined Griquas and impressed in his debut Currie Cup season, which led to a Super Rugby call-up from the Cheetahs. Good performances earned him a Springbok debut at 24, and he became a key figure in South Africa's 2013 Rugby Championship campaign. He won the SA Players' Player of the Year in 2013 and was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014. After leaving the Cheetahs in 2015, Le Roux played in Japan and briefly for the Sharks before joining Wasps in 2017, where he set a record 21 try assists in a single season. Le Roux was recalled to the Boks by Erasmus in 2018 after nearly two years out under Allister Coetzee. He helped the Boks win the 2019 Rugby Championship and later joined Verblitz in Japan. In 2023, he returned to South Africa with the Bulls, where he has been since. He's even had to slot in at flyhalf, where he played for Verblitz. In February, he said, 'You never know when it's your last game, and you have to go out every week and play as if it's your last. But right now, I'm going out to enjoy myself, and you play lekker rugby when you enjoy it and smile on the field.' Willie le Roux in action for the Bulls. Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images Springbok teammates sing Le Roux's praises Ruan Pienaar was the Springbok flyhalf during Le Roux's debut against Italy all those years ago. Le Roux once credited Pienaar as one of the players who inspired him to pursue longevity in his career. 'Seeing guys like Ruan and Willem [Alberts] get to 40, I'm like 'why won't you get there Willie? … It's just about looking after the body,' Le Roux said. For his part, Pienaar told The Citizen that Le Roux deserves all the recognition he is receiving. 'It's a special achievement for any player to play 100 Test matches. Probably even more so in South Africa with the amount of talent we've got,' Pienaar said. 'For him to play at that level for a long time, to have the longevity to get to 100 matches is a brilliant achievement. 'He's won everything there is to win in international rugby. He's been an incredible player for the Springboks for over a decade now.' Current Bok flyhalf Manie Libbok called Le Roux an 'incredible human being'. 'A very nice guy. For me, he was nothing but helpful from the word go when I got into the Springbok camp. He's always there to help, always there to give advice,' Libbok said. 'I'm just lucky I have the chance this weekend to take the field with him on this special occasion.' — The seven Springbok centurions are Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers and Percy Montgomery.
