Analysis: Cam Roigard has become a key playmaker for the All Blacks. Resting him this week would be a high-risk strategy, argue Scotty Stevenson and Pat McKendry.
PM: Scotty, according to some sections of the Irish media, the All Blacks were "there for the taking" against Ireland. I would suggest that the All Blacks were battling for rhythm but once they achieved it they were fairly compelling.
What’s your take on a Test victory that kept the Grand Slam alive?
SS: It’s become a common narrative I guess, typed every year in bold with ever-hopeful fingers by our esteemed colleagues in the north. Truth is, the All Blacks were there for the taking, but Ireland let their grasp on the match slip as their collective energy waned in the final quarter. How often has this been the case in the past?
It was a disjointed first half as the All Blacks struggled to match their execution with their energy, especially when they had a one-man advantage. That said, don't underestimate how disruptive losing two of the three Barrett boys early would have been.
What's most pleasing is how the team grew into its work. Josh Lord has a whale of a game, and so did Wallace Sititi. The extended squad added the boost that has been often lacking this season. Quinn Tupaea continues to impress, and must retain a midfield spot, and big Leicester Fainga’anuku looked all the more impressive for in-game minutes.
Given the nature of this contest in recent years, I think the All Blacks and their fans would take a 13-point victory and be happy about it.
Pat, the game itself deserves a bit of attention. A 52-minute first half, a number of TMO interventions, some more confusing interpretations... did the officiating merry-go-round of test footy take some of the gloss off the occasion?
PM: Yes it did. The technical difficulties with the big screen lent a shambolic air to the occasion and the pitch surface appeared patchy and poor even before kick-off.
Throw in the pedantic refereeing of Frenchman Pierre Brousset which added to the stop-start nature of a Test that just couldn’t seem to get going (and a first half that lasted 52 minutes as you say), and this was an exercise in frustration for 60 minutes.
The “merry-go-round of officiating”. Yes, well put. The red card for Tadhg Beirne was over the top in my opinion and different officials may have given a different sanction and that’s just the game at present.
The positives for the All Blacks, clearly frustrated that they couldn’t run the Irish around like they wanted until the final quarter, were the way they coped with the departures of the two Barretts, their late scrum dominance, their better discipline than their opponents, and the sparkling performances off the bench from all eight reserves.
Tupaea and Fainga’anuku were outstanding in the midfield and will presumably stay there for the Test against Scotland. It makes one wonder why Razor took so long to get big Leicester into the midfield mix. As you know, I’ve been a big advocate of his.
There is a big Test against England looming after the Scotland assignment, but the selectors can’t afford to make too my changes, can they? Especially given that backline finally started to operate with cohesion.
SS: There was a time when Scotland's perceived lack of threat afforded the All Blacks an opportunity to rest some of their leading lights, but I don't think they can afford to this weekend.
There are two reasons: First, Scotland will have been planning for this assignment under the auspices of the wily Gregor Townsend and will be at full strength at Murrayfield after a romp against the United States.
Second, as you rightly point out, we saw more than a glimpse in Chicago of what this team is capable of unlocking in its attack, and it would be a waste of momentum to break that up now.
For me, the backline should remain unchanged at the very least. There will be scope on the bench for a fresh face - that could be any of Rieko Ioane, Anton Leinert-Brown or Billy Proctor – but the starters look well suited to the assignment. The pack can sustain a reshuffle, but it felt as though the mix was largely right in the windy city.
Shutting down Finn Russell's options will be high on the priority list for the inside backs. Tupaea has enough sense for smart defensive plays and will be best suited to closing space on Russell's access to outside ball runners in narrow channels.
I have mentioned his name several times already because for me he has been revelatory since his first appearance of the season.
The All Blacks have been looking for a midfield foil for the largely restrained game plan developed for Jordie Barrett. Does Tupaea strike you as the best option for this team moving forward or do you think Fainga'anuku slots into centre long term when J Barrett returns to play?
PM: I believe Tupaea has earned his spot as the incumbent 13 if Jordie is fit, or 12 if not. One could hardly ask for more from him over his last two starts – he’s such an influential figure in that midfield whether that’s winning turnovers, scoring tries or setting them up, that he deserves the selectors’ faith. His physicality and decisiveness sets him apart.
Fainga’anuku must now be the alternative centre should Tupaea be forced into a replacement role for Jordie for the remainder of the tour, which I think will be the case. High ankle sprains are notorious for their long recovery times.
I agree with you about the Scotland threat – it’s real – and England will be very difficult to break down the week after which means the selection balance may be a difficult one this week.
The backline selections should remain constant for Scotland and I would suggest that, apart from Beauden Barrett at No.10, Cam Roigard is the most influential player for the All Blacks in terms of playmaking.
He didn’t run with the ball until late in the match against Ireland and it resulted in a try. Do you feel Roigard is a must-have over the next two weekends?
SS: I do. I know there was a lot of chat post-game about Roigard’s apparent lack of running in the first 50 minutes but for me that showed great awareness of how Ireland’s defence was set up. When an opportunity to run presented itself later in the match, he took it with both feet.
Roigard’s importance to this team cannot be underestimated. He kicks well, makes accurate passes and it’s his ability to run that keeps fringe defenders on edge.
I do take the earlier point that the big names in this team are likely to be asked to dig in for three straight weeks, but isn’t that how World Cups are won? Pretty handy practice for the next tournament if you ask me.
Tactically, what do you think will change, if anything, from an All Blacks' point of view against Scotland?
PM: I agree with you with regards to World Cup knockout matches and was thinking that earlier today, as it happens. Consistency and cohesion are key factors and this is a great dry run for next year in South Africa and the year after at the World Cup in Australia.
As for tactics, not much will change. Jason Ryan may be wary of Scotland’s lineout threats, but the All Blacks will scrum for penalties early and often. It will likely be their way into the Test and their go-to if things get difficult.
From there the All Blacks will seek space potentially via a short kicking game and a direct route into Finn Russell’s channel through Codie Taylor, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi et al. Tupaea, should he start at 12 as expected, will also probably fancy a direct strategy.
The All Blacks cannot allow the Scots to get a foot-hold on the game and Razor has already spoken about the importance of a good start.
To wrap things up, where do you feel the Test will be won, and who gets across the line?
SS: I think man for man for man this All Blacks team has more dynamism and skill than the Scots, the impressive Russell notwithstanding. The home side is likely more reliant on a single player than the All Blacks are, and that is going to cost them in the stretch.
Expect the All Blacks to play at pace again, but we will see more kicking deep, forcing Scotland to make more of the play from depth. The packs will have a battle but the extra power of the visitors’ bench will prove to much
The All Blacks to take another step forward here, and to ease to victory. A 12-20 point margin.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the Police Commissioner’s opinion on publishing leaked audio, two charged over a barbershop attack, and David Beckham and the King swap fashion tips. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME