OPINION: In little more than 24 hours, Scott Robertson will unveil his first squad as All Blacks head coach.
There are several points of contention and Robertson will be forced to look to youth, as he grapples with the raft of veterans hanging up their international boots at the end of last year.
Lock is a clear point of concern this year, with Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick forgoing 262 tests of experience in that department. Elsewhere, the make-up of Robertson’s loose forward mix will be fascinating, given this is the position with the most depth.
Here’s a look at just how the first All Blacks squad of 2024 might shape up...
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams
A settled mix among the props to start the year, although Hurricanes loosehead Xavier Numia should consider himself dreadfully unlucky with the timing of his injury. He and Lomax have had the Hurricanes scrum humming, and his form will have certainly caught the eye of Jason Ryan in particular.
Expect to see Numia in black at some point this year.
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Asafo Aumua
An asterix probably needs to be attached to Taukei’aho’s name, given the injury he sustained in the Chiefs semi-final, but for now, he'll keep his spot. Aumua’s form for the Hurricanes was immense, as he moved out of Dane Coles' shadow to make that position his own.
What this year really proved, though, is that even though he missed most of Super Rugby Pacific through a well-deserved non-playing sabbatical, Taylor is streets ahead as the country's best hooker.
Locks: Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i, Sam Darry
Here is where Robertson really willhave been kept up at night. The locking department truly is a tricky beast for Razor.
Barrett had his name in permanent marker before a ball was kicked this year and the likely captain will almost definitely line up alongside Tuipulotu in the second row for the first test against England.
The Blues captain has been incredibly impressive this year, sensing the opportunity in front of him and grabbing it. Vaa'i is just as impressive for the Chiefs, but the fourth lock is something of a lottery.
Darry deserves a chance here. He’s got good Super Rugby experience now and has begun to find his game.
He's a key lineout exponent for the Blues, has good work rate around the paddock and he's strong with ball in hand. He won’t be drowning in playing time, but he deserves a crack.
Loose Forwards: Ardie Savea, Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papalii, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau
More depth than an Olympic diving pool here and just how Robertson decides to balance his loose forwards mix will be fascinating. Guys like Dalton Papalii and Ardie Savea pick themselves, and Robertson knows exactly what he's getting with Blackadder.
Despite another injury-plagued season, Blackadder has shown enough in limited minutes to be there. Lakai has been super consisent at the Hurricanes and deserves his chance.
The toss-up between Luke Jacobson and Hoskins Sotutu has gone the way of Jacobson. He's versatile, he works as hard as anyone, he's a key breakdown exponent for the Chiefs and can be for the All Blacks.
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima
Ironically, Cam Roigard's injury earlier this season has paved the way for Hurricanes teammate Perenara to return to the All Blacks. Perenara has been back to his best in Roigard's absence and could find himself as the starting option for the first test.
Despite missing a decent chunk of Super Rugby with injury, Christie has looked back to his best for the Blues. For the third spot, I've gone Ratima, who’s been super consistent for the Chiefs and deserves the chance for higher honours.
First Fives: Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett
McKenzie is doing his best to say “Richie who?” to the All Blacks selectors. Clearly very assured at first-five, he's taken his game to another level this season and will be the one pulling the strings for the All Blacks.
What a safety net Barrett is too. Expect him to be used a bit at fullback.
Midfield: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billie Proctor
Proctor is clearly the big mover here. One of the Hurricanes' best all season, he's really matured his game and provided a brilliant combination alongside Barrett.
Form gets rewarded and that should be the case when it comes to the starting midfield for the first test too. Lienert-Brown has been an absolute rock in the Chiefs backline, with his calmness and leadership a fundamental part of their playoff run.
He deserves the All Blacks No.13 jersey, outside Barrett.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Ruben Love, Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa
More points of contention in the outside backs and just as much as depth as the loose forwards.
In the absence of Will Jordan, Love deserves an All Black call-up. A player whose potential has been as clear as day, he’s really grown this year and has proved a potent attacking threat.
Clarke is another I feel has really improved this season. He's in great shape and has gone looking for work, he hasn’t just expected it.
Narawa took a few games to get back on the park, but with consistent minutes, he's been back to his best. Another who goes looking for work, so often beats the first defender and his game awareness is so precise.
Ollie Ritchie is Newshub's rugby reporter
