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'We've got a big six foot eight lock coming in, and a six foot nine lock on the bench'
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks have named an inexperienced locking group to take on Argentina but head coach Scott Robertson is excited by the “fresh blood” coming through the position.
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Sam Darry will start for the All Blacks for the first time after debuting in San Diego against Fiji while Tupou Vaa’i packs down next to him. Off the bench will be four Test lock Josh Lord.
Robertson explained that Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu succumbed to a calf injury while captain Scott Barrett was earlier ruled out for both Argentina Tests.
“Obviously with Patrick [Tuipulotu], he had a calf injury, so Sam Darry comes in and Josh Lord has come back from a couple of games,” Robertson explained.
“So perfect timing for us. There’s some fresh blood coming through with the second rows, the locks. Sam’s been impressive since he’s come in.
“And Josh has, you know, wore the black jersey before, and he’ll get straight up to the mark and standard.”
Some might be concerned with the All Blacks locking stocks in the post-Whitelock and Retallick but Robertson was adamant that they have the talent to fill the void.
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On state of the locks position he highlighted the tremendous athletes that the All Blacks have coming in.
“It’s exciting. I think is exciting. We’ve got a big six foot eight lock coming in, and a six foot nine lock on the bench, and they’re good athletes,” Robertson said.
“When someone retires, someone gets an opportunity, and it’s their opportunity, so we set them up the best we can to perform, and they’ve done themselves as well.
“They’ve owned the role and the opportunity this week, and on Saturday night with a performance, they can, you know, keep that jersey.”
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Perfect timing, was he being sarcastic? 😂👍
this apparently didn't mean s##t in today's game. Well done Pumas!
The All Blacks second row of Vaa’i and Darry have more caps than Argentina’s second row as surprising as it may be. Vaa’i will be the most experienced lock of the four starting locks.
Time for Vaa’i to step up and dominate the lineout and be that big bruising ball carrying second row that Barrett is.
The time is now for Vaa’i, he is in his third season now. The time for grooming is over.
Looking at the lock selections there seems to be a focus on the aerial side of things and then worry about ball carrying, clean outs, maul defense etc for later.
Our insistence on having athletes that can play an open style of rugby first and foremost comes at a cost when opposition sides decide to play a forward orientated, possession and territorial based game plan. We need to take our "learnings " from our losses during the last cycle and a.) have a plan b for when we meet this style of rugby and b.) identify forwards especially, that we can develop who when necessary can be included to combat that style.
A "horses for courses " philosophy can be beneficial if used effectively.
Interesting all this talk of meat and potatoes coming through.
Tall doesn't mean much unless it's accompanied by pure strength, bulk - upperbody & core. None of these 3 locks have displayed this type of power, as yet. I expect the Argies pack will try to bully us with that well known prime Los Pumas beef. Hopefully we'll be up for the challenge.
They can try all they like. It wont work. Vaii, Lord and Darry are quality.