Head coach Scott Robertson says 'hybrid' players are important for bench roles - Patrick McKendry ponders whether he's considering a forwards-heavy bench.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson appears increasingly open to selecting a forwards-heavy reserves bench, a move which could be designed to take the Springboks on at their own game.
If the selection of uncapped loose forward Simon Parker in his Rugby Championship squad was a case of doubling down on his “bigger is better” philosophy, Robertson’s selection of the versatile Leroy Carter, albeit as injury cover for the All Blacks’ current tour of Argentina, is another pointer to a potential 6-2 forwards-backs split bench in the short to medium term.
The Boks’ infamous heavy-duty “Bomb Squad” has helped South Africa demolish teams in the second half of Tests, especially at altitude, as few nations are able to stay with their firepower available in a 7-1 forwards-backs split.
South Africa went for a 7-1 split for the World Cup final against the All Blacks in Paris in 2023 and were ultimately successful as they capitalised on the red card for skipper Sam Cane at the end of the first half.
While Robertson is unlikely to roll the dice to that extent – outside back Wille Le Roux was the sole Boks' back reserve at the Stade de France – it is easy to imagine a scenario where he names only two backs, and potentially no specialist halfback.
Carter, the former New Zealand sevens specialist who reverted back to 15s last year and starred for the Chiefs on the left wing during this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition, is not only one of the fastest players in the country, but also one of the most adaptable.
And Robertson’s explanation last week for Carter’s selection – as cover for the injured Caleb Clarke – may have been significant.
“He can cover 9 – he’s played a lot of 9,” Robertson said. “He can cover centre and play wing. Most teams have players like that - especially if you want to split the bench.”
Robertson’s unprompted mention of his bench make-up suggests he has at least been thinking about it, and it would be remiss of him not to be given South Africa’s recent success.
The Boks’ tactics of selecting a forwards-heavy bench has been criticised as cynical and against the spirit of the game, but there is no law against it and World Rugby have not been moved to create one.
Rassie Erasmus and company have been aided by the versatility of loose forward Kwagga Smith, a “hybrid” player who could play on the wing or even midfield if required.
The multi-skilled Ardie Savea could do a similar job for the All Blacks, as anyone who watched him star for Moana Pasifika this year would presumably agree with.
Robertson has made no secret of wanting players who can play in a variety of positions, and he has already struck gold this year with Tupou Vaa’i, a converted lock, shining at blindside flanker in his two starts against France last month.
Lock Josh Lord’s call-up as injury cover for Luke Jacobson suggests Vaa’i is now seen as a flanker who can play lock as Lord will provide training back-up for the other second row specialists Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland and Patrick Tuipulotu.
Robertson’s backs are even more flexible.
Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie can obviously play first-five and fullback (and McKenzie could play No.9 at a pinch), with Jordie Barrett capable of playing everywhere in the backline apart from halfback, Rieko Ioane wing or centre, Will Jordan wing or fullback, Billy Proctor centre or wing, Anton Lienert-Brown either midfield positions, and Leicester Fainga’anuku, not selected in the current squad on his return from France but presumably set for the Northern Hemisphere tour, adept at No.12, 13 or either wing.
The ultimate goal for Robertson could be the ability to select two different types of loose forwards on the bench, along with a lock, for example Parker or Samipeni Finau – two big bruisers - along with turnover expert Du’Plessis Kirifi, and Tuipulotu.
Fortunately for Robertson, Sam Darry, the Blues lock who made his All Blacks debut last year but was injured for the entirety of this year’s Super Rugby competition, has returned in good form and starred for Canterbury in their recent NPC win against Auckland in Christchurch. Darry is presumably on the brink of a return to the squad.
Moreover, Robertson’s current halfback shortage in the wake of the injuries to Cam Roigard (foot) and Noah Hotham (ankle) could hasten his experimentation on the bench in Argentina or back home for the Tests against the Boks in Auckland in Wellington next month.
The experienced Finlay Christie and uncapped Kyle Preston have been called in as cover, but it is not out of the question that Robertson could roll the dice on either McKenzie or Carter as halfback cover in Cordoba or Buenos Aires.
Once loosehead prop Tamaiti Wiliams, a man incidentally who can also play tighthead, returns from his knee injury – and he is scheduled to be available for the second Test against the Pumas on August 24 – Robertson’s bench could potentially look like this: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ethan de Groot, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau/Simon Parker, 21. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown/Leroy Carter.
The All Blacks once set the standard for bench impact through the energy of Savea and Beauden Barrett.
The Boks have since overtaken them in terms of super-subs but Robertson’s men may be about to catch up and fight fire with fire.
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