Rugby
Cricket
League
Football
Racing
Combat Sports
Basketball
Golf
Motorsport
Other Sports
Pieces of All Blacks selection puzzle fall into place in Rugby Championship finale
SENZ • September 30th, 2024 12:10 pm
Photo: Photosport
Head coach Scott Robertson and his staff are "90 percent" there with the composition of their best All Blacks matchday 23 ahead of their annual European tour, according to Israel Dagg.
The New Zealanders put on one of their most cohesive and consistent 80-minute performances of a turbulent maiden test season under their new coaching regime against the Wallabies in Wellington on Saturday.
It was a performance which both answered a few questions and confirmed a few viewpoints for former All Black and SENZ host Israel Dagg, starting with the contentious No. 10 jersey, which he believes Beauden Barrett made his own with an exceptional display at the Cake Tin, while Will Jordan was similarly impressive in sealing the deal at fullback.
"I thought Beaudy was outstanding at ten," Dagg said on SENZ's Scotty & Izzy.
"We're used to seeing him run the ball a hell of a lot but I thought he distributed really well. He put the ball in front of the players, particularly that try with Will Jordan. Really creative move there and just an absolute freakish finish.
Add to that mix Damian McKenzie's brilliant cameo off the bench and the All Blacks have their first-five solution, Dagg insists.
"I think that riddle is solved now for Razor and the coaches knowing that they have that one-two punch from the bench.
"Damian's inclusion in the second half was game changing."
According to Dagg, the primary remaining selection dilemmas for Robertson are at openside flanker and halfback.
After another statement outing from Wallace Sititi, the Chiefs breakout star now demands inclusion in a starting XV, which means Razor may have to consider shifting him to his preferred No. 8 position and Ardie Savea to No. 7 for Sam Cane, who has a foot out of the door. And what then at blindside flanker?
"Cane has played 100 tests, is an absolute legend and a guy I've got a lot of respect for. But he's not going to be around forever. He's finishing up this year with the All Blacks.
"So, what's next for this team? Do they move Wallace to No. 8? Ardie to No. 7. Well, what happens to Dalton Papali'i?
"We've still got Ethan Blackadder in the background somewhere to take over. Now we've got to start thinking about the future and what does that future look like?"
"We've still got Ethan Blackadder in the background somewhere to take over. Now we've got to start thinking about the future and what does that future look like?"
As for halfback, Dagg says Cortez Ratima has earned the starting halfback spot, with the onus on Cam Roigard to win it back upon his long-awaited return from injury.
"I think Ratima deserves the opportunity to take the nod.
"We know what Cam Roigard is able to do, but that was last year. We haven't seen him this year after a devastating knee injury. All signs are saying he's rehabbed really well. His body's in great nick, and I'm hoping that he's able to get back to those heights.
"But for me, right now, Ratima is the starting halfback. I think he's fantastic."
*Listen the full 'Deep Dive' below: *
