Scott Robertson and his fellow All Blacks’ selectors have resisted the urge for wholesale changes to the team for the Australia Test on Saturday despite a capitulation against the Springboks which left many players, including veteran hooker Codie Taylor, with a “sore heart”.
Taylor, back in the starting line-up after a head injury suffered in the win over the Boks a week earlier at Eden Park, spoke today about the response required against the Wallabies at the same ground on Saturday after the record defeat in Wellington, and did not skirt the issue.
“Looking back, there was a lot of hurt in the last Test we played,” Taylor said. “We had an honest review when we came in on Sunday night and that was much needed. We had a look in the mirror – as players, we’re the ones out there.
“The coaches have taken it on board and they put their hands up but we’re the ones playing. We’re playing a really good Australian team. They’ve played in some tough Tests this year and have shown some resilience. They’ve had some pretty good wins. We’re expecting the same [level] this week.”
“We had that week off afterwards but I’m pretty sure most of us had a sore heart about letting down the jersey and our country as well.
“We’re the ones that have to respond.”
Skipper Scott Barrett’s shoulder injury has all but forced the selectors to name Tupou Vaa’i at lock alongside Fabian Holland and therefore reduced their options at loose forward, with now captain Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi and Simon Parker retaining their places.
A predictable re-shuffle of the back three has seen Caleb Clarke back from an ankle problem to start on the left wing which moves Leroy Carter to the right, Will Jordan back to fullback and Damian McKenzie back on to the bench.
But Robertson has stubbornly refused to tinker with a midfield that has not found cohesion on attack or defence, with Billy Proctor retaining his place alongside Jordie Barrett.
That pair will come up against perhaps the best midfield in the competition on Saturday in the form of Hunter Paisami and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, but Robertson has resisted what must have been a temptation to replace Proctor with Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane or Leicester Fainga’anuku.
“We chased a game that got away from us but for the majority of it we played some really good footy,” Robertson said of his side’s collapse to the Boks at the Cake Tin.
“The core group of those guys get to play again. You learn on stage and they’ve been under the spotlight and it’s another chance for them.”
The returns of Taylor and halfback Cam Roigard are big boosts, but there is no doubt that Scott Barrett’s injury is a blow as his bulk and experience in the second row will be missed. Barrett also has the knack for getting under the skins of the Wallabies and often reserves his finest performances for them.
1News rugby reporters Andrew Saville and Patrick McKendry assess the All Blacks' side that will take on the Wallabies. (Source: 1News)
Robertson said Barrett hurt his shoulder in Wellington but played on. He had hoped to recover in time for Saturday.
“He’s so mentally and physically tough it’s pretty hard not to see his name up there,” Robertson said. “He’s not quite right for this week and we’re pushing to get him back for next weekend’s Test.”
There are several storylines converging this week; the All Blacks’ unbeaten record at Eden Park which goes back 51 Tests, along with the fact that the Wallabies have not beaten New Zealand there since 1986 and not held the Bledisloe Cup in 22 years.
There is the fact too that an All Black team which leaked 36 unanswered points in an historic collapse last time out is up against a rejuvenated Wallabies with one of the best attacks in the competition – led, of course, by a couple of New Zealanders in head coach Joe Schmidt and scrum expert Mike Cron.
Schmidt, an assistant to former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, turned down the chance to help Robertson when New Zealand Rugby looked into a leadership change in 2022.
Schmidt is said to have been disgruntled by the organisation’s treatment of Foster but Robertson today denied there was “bad blood” between them.
“I’m not sure we’ll have a beer after the first game, maybe the second game… he’s highly respected,” Robertson said.
“They [Wallabies] are always a threat. The games got close last year – they stayed in the fight, especially in that first Test.
“They’ll back themselves, that’s the biggest thing, and they stay deep into the game.”
Taylor was perhaps not surprisingly far more overt with his praise of Schmidt and Cron, saying: “They’re two great coaches and I have a lot of respect for both of them.
“You can see how Schmidty likes to play in the way the Aussies are going about their work. Crono as well – massive respect, he’s had a huge influence in my career. I know he’s finishing up soon – I suppose it’s a ‘thank you’ but we’ll leave it there for now.”
All Blacks match-day 23
(Test caps in brackets)
1. Ethan de Groot (36)
2. Codie Taylor (101) (Vice-captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax (47)
4. Fabian Holland (7)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (44)
6. Simon Parker (3)
7. Ardie Savea (101) (Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (13)
9. Cam Roigard (12)
10. Beauden Barrett (140)
11. Caleb Clarke (29)
12. Jordie Barrett (75) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (8)
14. Leroy Carter (1)
15. Will Jordan (48)
Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (37), 17. Tamaiti Williams (21), 18. Fletcher Newell (29), 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (54), 20. Peter Lakai (3), 21. Cortez Ratima (16), 22. Quinn Tupaea (19), 23. Damian McKenzie (68).
Unavailable for selection: Scott Barrett (shoulder), Ollie Norris (back), Emoni Narawa (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius).
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