Scotty Stevenson: On The Sidelines — September 30

In this week's On The Sidelines, Scotty looks at an All Blacks bolter, the Boks reigning supreme and Liam Lawson's patience. 

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson may have faced some criticism for a seemingly conservative approach to selections across his first nine Tests in charge, but there is no argument one of the genuine bolters in the original 2024 squad has repaid his faith in spades.

Wallace Sititi was a surprise selection back in July when he was given the nod ahead of the more fancied and publicly palatable Hoskins Sotutu. However, the 22-year-old has taken to the Test arena like the proverbial duck and has only got better during his last three starts.

While it has been safety first Sam Cane on the openside, Sititi has announced his presence as a genuine blindside enforcer with plenty of upside on attack. His defensive work, bar one glaring misread on a Wallabies scrum switch strike early in the Wellington Test, has been dominant, and his link work in open play nothing short of phenomenal.

Sidelines suggested last week that Robertson was overseeing a revolution by stealth, blooding new players (Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Sam Darry and Pasilio Tosi in particular) while harnessing the best from what has come before. It is no easy task, and there is still a need for the requisite alchemy to bubble beneath the surface.

That magic formula is still in development, which makes the selection of the All Blacks (albeit aided greatly by the 29-strong All Blacks XV contingent embarking on a concurrent northern tour) in the next week a genuine point of interest.

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As Patrick McKendry assesses, does Robertson jettison the departing Perenara and Cane to continue building in his own image, or does he fall back on the tried and tested, even if that solution is temporary.

As predicted, the Springboksregrouped from their surprise defeat to Argentina to hammer the Pumas in Nelspruit/Mbombela. It was always a long shot for the visitors, who would have expected a much-improved South Africa after humbling the touring side last week and denting the pride Rassie Erasmus has taken in his depth chart.

For all that, Argentina was exactly nowhere in this contest, which is an issue for Felipe Contepomi, who understands the importance of developing a side that can operate with consistency. It has still been a breakthrough season for his side, who for the first time enjoyed victories against each of their championship opponents.

On the face of it, finishing two points adrift New Zealand on the final standings is a worthy result, but the -25 points differential is evidence enough that the Pumas are almost pathologically inclined to let emotion dictate performance.

For the Springboks, the northern tour looks a much easier assignment than that of New Zealand (England, Ireland, France and Italy) and Australia (a Grand Slam). The Boks will face Scotland, England and Wales on their quest to reclaim the No 1 ranking.

Liam Lawson has finally been given his crack at a regular Formula 1 drive, after the Racing Bulls parted ways with popular Australian Daniel Ricciardo. It has been a long wait for Lawson, who has been faithful to Red Bull driver adviser Helmut Marko, even when his instructions seemed at odds with Lawson’s life plan.

It was not so long ago that Lawson found himself tin topping in the German Touring Car (DTM) series at Marko’s behest, all while trying to make a name for himself in the paddock with Alpha Tauri. Many wondered if this was going to be a turn down a dead-end street for Lawson, but his loyalty and faith in the plan has finally paid off.

Lawson has been a proven performer in the paddock and in the sim, and watching him work as a reserve driver is an eye-opening experience. Sidelines was lucky enough to shadow the young Kiwi several years ago during his first season with Alpha Tauri. There was an intensity to everything he did, a steely focus on the screens during practice, and a willingness to offer and receive feedback at every opportunity.

These are the qualities that Marko has long admired, and they are the same qualities that have got him the seat. This is no bankroll back door for Lawson. The kid has earned the drive on talent and determination. However, we know that in Formula 1, money still does plenty of talking. Cough *Logan Sargeant*.

One the matter of financial clout, I once asked veteran driver David Coulthard about how hard the pathway would be for Lawson, his family, and his many generous supporters. His answer still resonates.

“Money might get you in a seat,” he said. “But only talent will keep you in it.”

A dynasty against a legacy. That’s the long and the short of it this weekend when the Penrith Panthers eye a fourth straight title against a Melbourne Storm outfit looking to return to the good old days.

The competition front runners engaged in ritualistic brutality in the preliminary finals, but the Storm made the bigger statement. More than a handful of pundits predicted the Roosters could match it with the Melburnians but that proved to be nothing short of a hype-induced fever dream. The tricolours had a chance to extend the club lives of the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary and Joseph Sua’ali'i (the latter bound for Aussie rugby), instead they were blown away in the first half and finished for good in the final quarter.

Back in Sydney it was a tougher assignment for Penrith against a Sharks team who stayed in the contest for the first 60 minutes before inevitability and Cleary-ball intervened. The Panthers will be better for having to grind this one out, and showed their storied class with a three-try finish that didn’t exactly polish the turd of the opening half, as much as roll it in glitter.

The Sharks can at least take heart from the fact their NRLW side is through to the GF.

Regardless, this promises to be one hell of a climax to the NRL season. These two teams have won five of the last seven titles and the last championship match between them (in 2020) was a 26-20 ding dong that went the way of the Storm.

There’s a place for loyalty in this world (see Liam Lawson above) but it turns out Galle is not that place.

After a 63-run defeat in the first test against Sri Lanka, the Black Caps went in for seconds with an unchanged lineup and were put to the sword by an innings and 154 runs.

The defeat all but ends the team’s World Test Championship quest, with three Tests in India still to come. More concerning for coach Gary Stead is the lack of impact from his frontliners, especially with the ball. Sri Lanka’s 602/5 made a mockery of the Kiwi lineup, who relied on Glenn Phillips to get through 38 overs of off spin (which netted 3-141). Once again captain Tim Southee returned just one wicket in 17 overs.

Not everything can be laid at the feet of Stead. He needs his veterans to be accountable, and to produce performances that represent their experience and importance to the team. The first Test defeat at least felt competitive; this result will leave the team in desperate need of a deep dive into their cultural souls.

With England’s tour to New Zealand already proving a box office sensation, a sub continental performance feels like a matter of urgency, not least because of India’s financial clout. To be pummelled there doesn’t just jeopardise New Zealand’s fraying Test reputation, it puts at risk the appetite for New Zealand to return.

That may sound unfair, but it’s not far from reality.

On a brighter note, Devon Conway’s second dig (61) may be the catalyst for a welcome return to form.

The Breakers returned to Spark Arena for their first home game of the new NBL season. You can watch the game on TVNZ+ or head to 1news.co.nz for all the analysis.

The Louis Vuitton Cup is well underway in Barcelona with Ineos and Luna Rossa battling it out for the right to challenge Team New Zealand. As expected the racing so far has had a bit of everything, including Barcelona’s fickle weather.

The White Ferns continue their build up to Saturday morning’s opening match of the T20 World Cup. Conditions are expected to be fearsomely hot with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees.