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How Wallace Sititi fared in All Blacks starting debut against Springboks
By Finn Morton
For the first time in 15 years, the All Blacks have lost The Freedom Cup after falling to arch-rivals the Springboks 18-12. Coach Scott Robertson and captain Scott Barrett were both supremely disappointed when they fronted the press post-match, but there were some positives.
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Before the coach and captain walked into the room, there were a couple of conversations amongst reporters about New Zealand’s Wallace Sititi. Sititi celebrated his 22nd birthday with a strong individual performance at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
Earlier in the week, coach Robertson had revealed a bit of a selection surprise by naming the youngster at blindside flanker. Sititi had only started in that position twice before in his professional career, and both were with North Harbour in New Zealand’s NPC.
Sititi was used as a No. 8 by the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, and the loose forward emerged as one of the nation’s brightest rugby prospects. But the step up to Test level was always going to be tough, especially in away Test to the world champions in a new position.
Playing against a backrow of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese, Sititi embraced the challenge on Saturday and ended up putting in a solid shift. With 16 carries for 30 metres, and 10 tackles in defence, there was a lot to like about Sititi’s first Test start.
“He can play, can’t he? I’m really pleased for him because he’s an exceptional young man. If you ever get to know him, he’s a lovely kid and gets on that field and he can turn it on,” coach Robertson told reporters after the six-point defeat.
“He’s got a great skill set. He’s mentally tough, he’s physically tough. It’s hard to believe he’s so young and performs like that.
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“We’re really pleased for (him), he took it.”
When Sititi was replaced in the 59th minute, the All Blacks had just reduced their deficit to a single point. Flyhalf Damian McKenzie converted a penalty which made things very interesting, with the scoreboard reading 13-12 in the Springboks’ favour.
But, as it was pointed out to Robertson in Johannesburg last weekend, the All Blacks’ Achilles heel has been their inability to score points in the last 20 minutes in all of their Rugby Championship fixtures to date.
It was the same story in Cape Town with the All Blacks failing to add any points to their score – but that’s not to say they didn’t have chances. McKenzie had another couple of attempts at goal, including one inside the last 10 minutes, but they missed the mark.
South Africa had gone down to 14 men at one stage with Willie le Roux shown a yellow card, but the New Zealanders failed to capitalise. Instead, the Boks had the last laugh with dual Rugby World Cup-winning hooker Malcolm Marx scoring the final try in the 73rd minute.
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“There’s always positives in everything,” Robertson explained.
“The physicality, we created a lot. We’re one moment away and we would’ve been first up here to the press conference, that’s the margins for it.
“There’s so much good in there (but) Test matches are about finishing and finishing on top and finding a way to do it and that’s our next step is to find a way and win the line in front of us.
“That’s our focus. We’ve got to learn quick.”
We have some outstanding loose forwards in the NZ Under 20's. . .
Mosese Bason, Hurricanes, Johnny Lee, Crusaders, Tristyn Cook Blues, Jeremiah Avei- Collins Hurricanes, Logan Wallace, Manawatu and Tai Cribb , Waikato, Malachi,
Waikato.
They will be 23 next World Cup. Maybe it's time to "bring them into the environment"
Unless we embrace long term planning with our younger talent we will lose them to Rugby League or to the Northern Hemisphere.
The NRL is stable and growing at an alarming rate and its popularity is through the roof.
Mark Nawaganitawase's sensational start at the Roosters is a prime example to young Rugby Players.
The NRL are aware of the quality of the above mentioned young players.
Bason and Lee could walk into any top NRL side as could most of the others.
New Zealand Rugby is floundering. Players are not happy. The NZRFU is finished, at least as far as the "Professional Game" is concerned.
Yes it's affecting the All Blacks. We have to remember they are "The Game." not the NZRFU.
Silver Lakes knows the All Black Brand is worth nothing without the players.
And that will be "How the final decision is determined"
Think I just found my new favourite All Black player... watch out Aardie!
Ardie should be shifted to the Openside to accommodate Sititi at No.8; with Blackadder at Blindside flank.
Killer combo, Frizzel on the bench. Just to add Ardie and Sititi could alternate depending on the situation.
disagree - Ardie's got rugby smarts for days - you want that at the 8. I think teaching Walter to be able to play another position is a good thing. Alseo Walter is bigger and I think defense is more important from the 6 than the 8
Yes and no. I'd say switch them up regularly. Make them hybrid players. They both need to be on at the same time or use one as an impact player. Like for like, same as the Boks do and that gives them an edge.
That would definitely make sense against SA. His running game was completely nullified against the big SA pack. Sititi found it relatively easy to make some inroads on offence.