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Where Stephen Perofeta fits into the All Blacks squad

Finlay Christie, Bryce Heem, Stephen Perofeta and Caleb Clarke celebrate. (Photo by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport)

Stephen Perofeta has been in great form for the table topping Blues team so far this season in the 15 jersey at fullback, forming a playmaking partnership with All Black first five Beauden Barrett.

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Leading on from an impressive NPC season with Taranaki last year, Perofeta was awarded the Duane Monkley Medal awarded for the most valuable player in the competition. Whether at first five in Barrett’s absence or at fullback, Perofeta has been leaving his stamp on Blues matches.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Podcast, former All Black James Parsons and Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall shed light on Perofeta’s chances for All Black selection.

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James Parsons and Bryn Hall discuss all things rugby

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James Parsons and Bryn Hall discuss all things rugby

“I think he’s right in the selection mix,” Parsons said.

“Long term, when you make the All Blacks it’s not just about one season. He’s had a massive season with Taranaki and now he’s just bringing that game to Super Rugby level.

“And the confidence to step up with the grubber for Beaudy, he steps into first receiver with Beauden outside him…He’s definitely in great form and paying with confidence.

“What the pack is putting up front is allowing these guys time. When you have guys with that sort of pace and the ability and vision to see space and bend defences, it’s all due to the fact the big boys upfront are, cleaning bodies, sucking more defences in, and creating more space on the outside.”

Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall went up against the Blues and Perofeta just a fortnight ago and was able to analyse his game from the field and claimed it was ‘probably his best game’ for the Blues.

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Perofeta’s form certainly seems to be trending in the right direction towards the pointy end of the Super Rugby season.

“I think he wasn’t that bad when he played us a couple of weeks ago. Considering that was probably his best game… in the Blues’ jersey,” Hall claimed.

“What was on the line that night and how he kind of game managed that game. The ways in which he influenced the game, I would say the game against us was probably his best.

Perofeta’s selection for Ian Foster’s first All Blacks squad of the season may depend on whether the All Blacks take a third first five or fullback.

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Richie Mo’ounga and Beauden Barrett are ahead of him in the pecking order as All Blacks first fives, while Jordie Barrett and Will Jordan are likely to be selected ahead of Perofeta at fullback.

However, he may find himself selected as a third first five and fullback utility as dual cover across the two positions in a similar vein to how Damien McKenzie was at times utilised.

If the All Blacks decide to select a third first five in their squad, one test All Black Josh Ioane remains in contention. However, Ioane is still finding his form after recently returning from injury with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have also started Kaleb Trask, Chase Tiatia and Emoni Narawa at fullback during the Super Rugby season, while the Highlanders have used Conor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert and Mitch Hunt as their 10 and 15.

The Hurricanes have used Jordie Barrett, Ruben Love and Josh Moorby at fullback and Jackson Garden-Bachop and Aidan Morgan at first five.

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Comments

3 Comments
G
Guy 899 days ago

Definitely the most promising uncapped 10

f
flyinginsectshrimp 899 days ago

Barrett, Mounga and Perofeta at 10 - with Perofeta covering 15.

J Barrett at 15 covering 12, Jordan at 14 covering 15.

G
George 900 days ago

Certainly Perofeta has proved himself at Super level and has done enough to warrant a trial for the ABs which is what the Super Rugby comp is.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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