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Why players keep leaving: Blues struggling to make All Blacks - and having shorter international careers

Blues-Exit

Four new caps were named in the first All Blacks squad of the year announced earlier this week.

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Chiefs loosie Luke Jacobson, Highlanders first five Josh Ioane and Crusaders backs Braydon Ennor and Sevu Reece have all received their first call ups to the national side. Front rowers Atu Moli (Chiefs) and Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), who have been selected before but never taken the field in a test match, are also included in the squad.

Of the six uncapped players selected, four of New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises are represented with only the Blues failing to promote a new player from within their ranks into the squad.

That probably shouldn’t be a huge surprise, given that the Blues once again finished bottom of the New Zealand conference.

The bigger concern for the country’s biggest franchise is that of the newly selected players, two were actually schooled in Auckland before heading elsewhere for their professional rugby.

Few Aucklanders sticking around for Super Rugby

Braydon Ennor captained the Saint Kentigern 1st XV before heading south for university and, eventually, provincial rugby. Josh Ioane earned his stripes at King’s College but now runs out for Otago.

These two young players contribute to an already large contingent of Auckland-schooled All Blacks that have since departed the region for greater opportunities elsewhere.

In fact, of the 39 All Blacks selected in the squad, over a quarter ran out for Auckland schools.

Alongside Ennor and Ioane, Angus Ta’avao, Vaea Fifita, Jack Goodhue, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii, Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane all spent their final year of college in Auckland. Only the latter four represented the Blues in this year’s Super Rugby competition whilst the others were spread amongst the other franchises.

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Contrast that with the Crusaders, who have been the main benefactor of player movements since graduation and, arguably, fastidious player recruitment. Only seven of the most recently selected All Blacks represented Canterbury or Tasman at a high school level, yet no less than 11 of the current squad turned out for the Crusaders in 2018.

Crusaders reeling in the youth

Not one of Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Ennor or Reece played for high schools that are caught under the Crusaders catchment area. Only Moli, Anton Lienert-Brown and Brodie Retallick have abandoned the Crusaders juggernaut in favour of other franchises (all three at the Chiefs).

Whilst there are obviously numerous non-rugby justifications for moving provinces, it would be a huge mistake to write off these numbers as completely unrelated to the pull of the Crusaders and the contrasting push of the Blues.

Long-term success not found at the Blues

The fact of the matter is that an astronomically higher number of long-term All Blacks come from the Crusaders than they do the Blues.

When considering only players that aren’t still in the formative years of their careers, almost 50% more All Blacks have come from the Crusaders than they have the Blues since 2008. Further, the Crusaders players are earning more than three times as many caps as the Blues players, on average.

The Blues have also had a number of players earn caps that have then been later discarded from the All Blacks, whilst the Crusaders players tend to hang around a lot longer. Remember the likes of Rudi Wulf, Benson Stanley, Francis Saili, Frank Halai and George Moala? They all managed fewer than five caps for New Zealand. In the past ten years, only three of the Crusaders newly minted All Blacks have managed earned five or fewer caps – which is all the more impressive when you consider the sheer number they’ve produced.

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Of course, the Crusaders have historically been New Zealand’s top team – but the numbers don’t look significantly brighter for the Blues even when comparing them to the other three franchises. Only the Highlanders have elevated fewer players to the national side over the past ten years – but their All Blacks tend to stick around a lot longer. Jarrad Hoeata and Jamie Mackintosh both rose above their station, but the Highlanders’ other national representatives have all been very able performers.

The Crusaders have an excellent recruitment system in place. Yes, players want to go to the franchise already because of how successful they’ve been (both on and off the field), but that doesn’t mean the franchises’ scouts won’t be working tirelessly to ensure that they’ve got the best cattle coming into the region on a regular basis. It seems to be the opposite story at the Blues, who both lose out on some of their own home-grown talent, and fail to promote the players that they do retain.

Just how deep is the All Blacks talent pool? See what the Twittersphere thinks:

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Hellhound 16 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 56 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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