Quinn Tupaea and Leicester Fainga’anuku are looming as the All Blacks’ first-choice midfield for the foreseeable future as the selectors plan for the almost inevitable loss of Jordie Barrett.
Barrett, the All Blacks’ vice-captain, was one of the big casualties of the All Blacks’ 26-13 victory over Ireland in Chicago yesterday, along with brother and captain Scott.
Second-five Jordie went down with knee and ankle injuries in the first quarter at Soldier Field and will have a scan tonight NZ time after the All Blacks arrived in Edinburgh for the Test against Scotland.
Jordie had his injured knee strapped but the bigger problem appears to be a high ankle sprain which can take many weeks to heal.
Scott left the field after three minutes with a deep gash on a leg caused by a sprig. The leg has been stitched but he also plans to see a doctor in Edinburgh.
Assistant coach Tamati Ellison this morning hinted at the seriousness of Jordie’s injuries when he said: “He is tough. He was wanting to play on and that probably makes us a bit more nervous knowing how tough he is and him having to come off. We’ll see what the scans say in the morning.”
Jordie’s departure moved Tupaea to his preferred position of second-five and Fainga’anuku off the reserves bench to centre. The pair thrived, with both impressing with their physicality.
Tupaea won several turnovers and Fainga’anuku’s break and offload to Will Jordan set up a hugely important try for stand-in skipper Ardie Savea. Fainga’anuku also had a breakout try ruled out late in the game for a forward pass.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane are also midfield options for the Test at Murrayfield on Sunday morning NZ time.
However, neither Tupaea nor Fainga’anuku had big workloads during the Rugby Championship, and, as the All Blacks found a cohesion on attack in the final quarter against Ireland that has largely escaped them this year, retaining that combination would be the logical choice against potentially difficult opponents.
Tupaea has mostly played an impact role this year but has taken his opportunities well after starting the last two Tests.
Fainga’anuku, plucked from Tasman for the Rugby Championship after returning from two years in France, has had even fewer chances, although he did start on the left wing for the All Blacks' victory over the Wallabies in Perth.
Down the pecking order
Lienert-Brown and Ioane have dropped further down the pecking order in the eyes of the selectors.
Lienert-Brown has started only one Test this year – the dead rubber against France in Hamilton in July - while Ioane has predominantly been used on the left wing rather than his preferred centre position.
Ioane will presumably be in the frame for a bench role at least at Murrayfield with potentially a view to a starting spot in Cardiff.
For Ellison, seeing Fainga’anuku, along with the rest of the bench, thrive at Soldier Field would have been reassuring.
“He’s confident, he brings some really nice energy to the group,” Ellison said of Fainga’anuku.
“He loves the ball in his hands and the physical side of the game, it’s nice to see him back and hitting the ground running. He was hanging out for a crack and has taken his opportunities for sure.”
Scotland thrash USA
Scotland, ranked eighth in the world, warmed up for the Test by thrashing the United States 85-0 at Murrayfield.
Their No.10 Finn Russell, who starred for the British and Irish Lions in Australia this year, did not play in that match but will take a leading role against the All Blacks as Scotland attempt to beat them for the first time.
Depending on the weather, a more open game than the one suffered through by players and viewers alike due to the constant stoppages in Chicago is almost assured.
“The stats show us that they want to play with the ball in hand,” Ellison said of Scotland. “But they’re not afraid to use small kicks to turn you around. They’ve got a mercurial 10 that is playing with a lot of confidence. Everyone wants to see attacking rugby.
“The great players earn that respect,” Ellison replied when asked about Russell, who attended the Canterbury rugby academy in Christchurch when younger.
“It’s important that our structures and systems can account for all those things. We’ll put a focus on Finn and a few others, as they will with our game drivers, I’m sure.”
SHARE ME