Analysis: Razor officially starts with the All Blacks this week and, despite the loss of several veterans, he can still pick a high-quality squad, writes Patrick McKendry.
The Scott Robertson All Blacks era starts this week. Going by his exploits on and off the pitch at the Crusaders and before he was given the top job, it promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable ride.
The former Crusaders coach’s first international assignment will be a three-Test home series against England next winter.
Robertson will already have a good idea about the make-up of his top 30 or so players, but may cast his net a little wider than the more conservative Ian Foster. However, the most fascinating question may be who he will select as captain - incumbent Sam Cane, Ardie Savea or even Scott Barrett?
Robertson will lose a significant chunk of experience but will feel there is enough young talent, many of whom will have gained invaluable lessons at this World Cup, coming through to be extremely competitive next year.
In fact, such is the depth at prop, Robertson may feel confident that he could have a variation of South Africa's infamous 'bomb squad' to call on late in Tests.
Robertson must rebuild the engine of his pack following the departures of Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, plus an attack missing Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett.
England showed in pushing the world champion Springboks all the way in their one-point World Cup semifinal defeat that they could test the All Blacks up front, although they will be missing several veterans themselves, including big loose forward/lock Courtney Lawes, who is retiring from the international game.
But the man known as Razor will be able to call on the experience and talent of lock Barrett to lead his tight forwards, with Tupou Vai’i likely to join the Crusader in the second row. Josh Lord will also be in the mix.
Shannon Frizell is moving on after reaching impressive form in the No.6 jersey this year, with Dalton Papali’i and Ethan Blackadder potential replacements.
Cam Roigard’s rapid development this year suggests he will be favourite to wear the No.9 jersey, with Damian McKenzie at first-five and Will Jordan highly likely to move from the right wing to fullback.
Wing Leicester Fainga’anuku is leaving for France so Robertson will need another wing to pair up with the outstanding Mark Tele’a, named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year at the awards evening in Paris a day after the Boks’ 12-11 final win over the All Blacks.
Emoni Narawa, the All Blacks’ only serious injury casualty at the World Cup, will likely come into the frame for the No.14 jersey. Caleb Clarke, barely used in France, will also be in the mix.
However, one of the biggest questions unlikely to be answered until we get far closer to the middle of next year is the man Robertson will base his leadership team around.
Cane was Foster’s skipper during his four-year reign and came of age as a player and leader at this World Cup only to suffer the ultimate disappointment of being sent off in the first half of a final the All Blacks lost by the narrowest of margins.
Foster, who showed compassion and support for the clearly devastated 31-year-old, was reluctant to endorse Cane for the role because he didn’t want to be seen to be giving the incoming Robertson any advice.
Robertson may elect to keep Cane in the role due to the Chiefs’ player’s standing within the squad and for continuity reasons, but the alternatives are Savea, World Rugby’s player of the year who has been consistently excellent in an inconsistent squad over the last two years, or Scott Barrett, with whom Robertson has forged a close relationship at Super Rugby level.
Barrett was Robertson’s captain in his final couple of seasons but while the lock has shown an impressive consistency in terms of his form over the last 12 months, and will be an automatic selection, there may be question marks over his discipline – he was red carded against the Boks at Twickenham in August - and therefore his relationship with the match officials.
Barrett is the first All Black to be dismissed twice in Tests, but a case could be made too that Cane has edged into that red flag territory after being the first man to be dismissed in a World Cup final.
Robertson will be extremely well served by youthful props, with Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell all impressing this year.
One potential issue will be McKenzie’s back-up at playmaker. Blues No.10 Stephen Perofeta or the Hurricanes’ Ruben Love could be in the mix there.
Indeed, Robertson's relationship with McKenzie will be fascinating in itself. At the end of last year Robertson coached the Barbarians against an All Blacks XV featuring the little Chiefs player at No.10 and was filmed by a documentary crew saying McKenzie had a reputation for taking risks on the pitch when prudent options were more appropriate.
Robertson did get the best out of the highly-skilled Mo'unga, though, and, besides, he has few other elite options.
England’s tour next July will be the first time they have visited New Zealand since 2014 when they lost the series 3-0. The All Blacks’ last Test against England was last November at Twickenham and finished in a 25-25 draw.
Robertson, who will be assisted by incumbent forwards coach Jason Ryan, and newcomers Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland, will bring a different energy to the Foster era which many will see as a good thing after the bitterly disappointing way the All Blacks finished up in France.
A new era is coming and, on paper at least, it looks relatively promising.
Possible All Blacks starting line-up for first Test: 15. Will Jordan, 14. Emoni Narawa, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Tele’a, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. Cam Roigard, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Sam Cane, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Tupou Vai’i, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Ethan de Groot.
Possible reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Dalton Papali'i, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.
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