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Two former All Blacks weigh in on Wallace Sititi's positional debate
By
Henry Lee
22-year-old All Blacks loose forward Wallace Sititi’s best position is still under debate according to two former All Blacks.
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The question on everyone’s minds is not whether he is in Robertson’s starting team for the upcoming Northern Tour games, but what position Sititi will play in the back row.
Former All Black Stephen Donald isn’t bothered about what number the Chiefs loose forward has on his back.
“The eight and the six role as far as carrying, can be manipulated as the same thing. Wallace Sititi’s carry is unbelievable, I think defensively obviously there is a change, as far as your role is getting around the corner.
He was carrying off the lineout yesterday, but he was doing that at six as well,” said Donald on The Breakdown.
Sititi’s position at six has often been a talking point among All Blacks fans, as he burst onto the scene in last year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition at the Chiefs in the number eight position.
The 22-year-old hasn’t seemed out of place though, and former All Black and current Blues prop Angus Ta’avao is confident about Sititi’s position in the team.
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“He’s answered so many questions that have been asked of him, he’s earned himself a start, whether it’s at eight or six, he’s earned his spot in the starting XV for the All Blacks.”
Robertson and his coaching staff have stayed consistent with their message of all players needing to be effective on both sides of the ball.
Taavao told The Breakdown he believes Sititi’s attributes are perfectly suited for this All Blacks regime.
“His carry, his footwork is so great, it’s not just that, it’s the balance, it’s the power, being able to take that second step, shake off the first defender, and his speed.”
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Wallace Sititi made his starting debut for the All Blacks in Cape Town against South Africa in the Rugby Championship. Since then, he has started every single game and proved himself as one of New Zealand’s most promising players.
The positions of the loose forward trio under Scott Robertson have continued to raise questions, with Sam Cane being named on the 36-man Northern Tour squad even with the veteran heading over to Japan after the end-of-year tour.
Robertson isn’t short of options in the loose forwards, even with Sam Cane retiring from International rugby at the end of the year.
Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papalii and Luke Jacobson will all be competing for the seven jersey for the All Blacks going forward.
“I still see Jacobson potentially being an option to replace Sam Cane when he moves on to Japan. I thought there might have been an opportunity to see that unfold, especially in the Northern Hemisphere where I reckon his style of rugby in the seven jersey could have been an asset, said Stephen Donald on The Breakdown about the opportunity in the loose forwards long term.
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
