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Scott Robertson names two most challenging positions for All Blacks to fill

Aaron Smith and Cam Roigard of the All Blacks run through drills during a New Zealand All Blacks training session at Mt Smart Stadium on June 30, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

New coach Scott Robertson has highlighted lock and halfback as the two toughest holes to fill for the All Blacks as they prepare to usher in a new era without some retired greats.

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When the full-time whistle sounded at Stade de France on a fateful October night last year, the All Blacks dropped their heads after losing the Rugby World Cup final by just a single point.

But in that moment, the Test careers of some New Zealand rugby icons came to an end. Locking duo Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, and halfback Aaron Smith, were among the retirees.

All three men are considered some of the best All Blacks in history which poses a tough task for those deemed worthy to follow in their footsteps under new boss ‘Razor’ Robertson.

“I think we talked about the locks. When you lose two you have to bring one or two back in,” Robertson said on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown.

“We’ve still got Patrick (Tuipulotu) there when he comes back. He’s a champion, when he’s on form he’s a great player.

“Probably the halfback with Aaron Smith… you’re not going to replace him but someone’s gotta go own it in themselves in any position.

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“We’ve got some good players in a number of teams coming through.

“Those are off the top of my mind, those two key positions there.”

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Patrick Tuipulotu was namedropped by Robertson which goes to show the injured Blues captain is very much in the frame for a return to the All Blacks’ setup in 2024.

At lock, Scott Barrett would be the only certainty for selection while the Chiefs duo of Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord also have experience at international level.

Hurricanes No. 9 Cam Roigard appears to be the leading candidate to step into Aaron Smith’s shoes, but there isn’t a whole lot of Test experience elsewhere for halfbacks in New Zealand.

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So, at least in theory, the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby could look abroad to fill some of these gaps.

Robertson has spoken in the past about “keeping an open mind” about potentially altering the current eligibility rules which prevent overseas players – who aren’t contracted to New Zealand Rugby – from representing the All Blacks.

“As I mentioned earlier on just around keeping an open mind about the eligibility criteria,” Robertson added.

“Firstly, everyone thinks we’re gonna open the gates, the floodgates, well it’s not. I’m just looking at the people that are eligible and they meet the criteria.

“I deal with agents all the time. I’m dealing with players, one of my main jobs is understanding what they need. If I’m gonna say it publicly I’ve got to talk to the players about it too and got to understand where the game’s going.”

Scott Robertson’s first Test in charge of the All Blacks is set for the 6th of July when New Zealand host England at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

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Comments

27 Comments
R
Rugby 262 days ago

oops you can now add fullback to the list. Will Jordan out for season surgery. Kwagga must have ripped his shoulder out of it joint.

So Need new 4/5, 9, 10 and 14/15.

Oh wait nah, need an new 14/15, no problem, pick up the phone, Poach some Fiji time.

Bula

R
Rugby 262 days ago

For me the major change is the no. 10 and with it the 9 - 10 combo. Such a key axis to any team. Lost screaming Aaron and Mounga. Damian is so talented but he plays a different style to Mounga. Scooters man from can’terbury.

J
Jasyn 262 days ago

I hope he's joking about Patrick Tuipolotu. A decent Super Rugby player, but has never once shown he’s international level, and at 31 now he’s never likely to be. In fact, him in an All Blacks 23 usually results in an historical loss, like he’s a curse.

A
Andrew 262 days ago

We are the envy of the world at 9. Roigard, Ratima Fakatava,…

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T
TT 3 minutes ago
'No, it’s not, that’s the truth' - Andy Farrell rubbishes Ireland subplot

ABs by 4……


IF

The Razor gang has given the AB’s a game plan A, B, C & etc (unlike so many AB games since 2016). &


IF

AB’s play 80+ minutes. &


IF

ABs do their individual & team jobs error free (‘ish)  (unlike so many AB team since 2016). &


IF

All the ‘critical V Ireland’ AB form mobile forwards stay on field for the 80min S.Barrett, Sititi, Savea, and Vaa’i swap with Cane when he tires & Tuipulotu comes on. Finau back up. &


IF

The 10's get a better ‘cunning game plan’ than BB, ie his kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, kicky, ETC! (& MacK does have a better game plan). &


IF

Aumua can throw to lineouts . &


IF

The AB’s can remember their lineout calls (unlike too many V England games 1, 2 & 3). &


IF

Williams can be coached to stop being sucked into experienced tactics to drop him to the ground. &


IF

The AB coaches, teach all ABs some ‘soccer like’ drama queen fouling acting skills to make clear to the ref 1 of the most common Irish tactics ie obstruction by ‘stray’ decoy attackers around contact zone (tackle, ruck, maul). &


IF

The ABs have their arm out away if not tackling any, again, decoy attackers  (or defenders) that run into them to try milk penalties as England did (eg penalty  against  Cane the worst). &


IF

S.Barrett can change & captain with assertiveness & presence to even be noticed by the ref (way to passive). &


IF

There's no food poisoning.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 9 minutes ago
How can Scott Robertson revive the All Blacks’ playmaking ‘triple threat’?

HAHA don't ask me that! You tell me, if McMillian was the AB coach would he be selecting Dmac over Mo'unga!?!


Look, Dmac is clearly first choice. Razor said BB was a selection "just for this game", Dmac was always leading the two big ones. They rotated BB and Mounga the same way in 22.


Firstly, I'm a fan of BB when he's not gun shy. Do I think he's a first five? Of course not, he can hardly pass the ball 5 meters. Do I think he's likely to play again after being concussed? No, end of discussion.


Do I hate Mo'unga? No, of course not. He was the only reason we got within cooee of SA, him finding his footing at International level was their main reason for success. Do I think that resulted in him being a game orchestra or having played well in black the years prior to that? Of course not. Maybe you were just on the end of the better AB performances fran, outside of those games I'd suggest he wasn't as influential as you think. He has a good kicking game for sure, but it's certainly not up there with Carter or even some current 10s, and it's certainly not much better than DMac's (understand you own opinion still won't say that) despite him having a lot more development and experience.


He would obviously get a great opportunity from Razor if he came back, and DMac would possibly find he can be a good fullback or bench player under Razors guidance, but if you're wrong and Dmac actually performed better than Richie running the show, then he'll having Damien as his 10 come RWC time.


TLDR, JWH is a Cantab, Richie is one of my favourite players, we just think you've got the wrong context in this article and I think you're way off the mark on Richies strengths.

44 Go to comments
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