The All Blacks’ shake-up for their final Test of the year has given Ruben Love and Rieko Ioane, two men who may have feared their opportunity would never come on this tour, precious chances to impress.
Both are starting against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday morning NZT, with Love wearing the No.15 jersey in only his second start for the All Blacks and his first since the victory over France in Hamilton in July.
Ioane, who is at the other end of his career, will start at centre in what will be his first involvement in a Test since coming off the bench to replace Quinn Tupaea in the All Blacks’ victory over the Wallabies in Perth in the Rugby Championship.
Ioane’s last start at centre was against Italy in the All Blacks’ last Test of 2024.
Since then he has started as a left wing in five Tests and in that final quarter in Western Australia – a lean return for a 28-year-old who should still be in the prime of his career, and, significantly, is taking a sabbatical at Leinster next year.
The convention for an All Black returning from a sabbatical is that he keeps his place in the squad but that could be put to the test when Ioane, who is contracted with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027, returns from Ireland.
With Caleb Clarke, who returns from an ankle injury to start under the roof at the Principality Stadium, and Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is on the bench, both moving ahead of Ioane on the left wing pecking order, and Billy Proctor, Tupaea and Fainga’anuku ahead of him as centre options, the clock may be ticking for Ioane, who does not have quite the same versatility as Anton Lienert-Brown.
Lienert-Brown, who, like Ioane has played 87 Tests and has had very few opportunities this year, will start alongside him at second-five against Wales.
In announcing his side, head coach Scott Robertson confirmed he and his fellow coaches constantly communicated with players who failed to make match-day squads.
“There’s a technical aspect and there’s a tactical side but there’s also the human side,” Robertson said, before adding of his message to Ioane: “Just stay ready, you’re going to get a crack and this is his one.
“We’re excited for him – he’s been a really good pro off the field, he’s done everything he can.”
Love, 24, has also been forced to be patient this year, but has more promising short-term prospects.
Robertson all but confirmed Love will be playing first-five for the Hurricanes next year - another step towards Love's goal of being the All Blacks’ playmaker.
Asked what he would bring to the starting line-up, Love, who rarely lacks for confidence, said: “A bit of vitality, good energy, and a little bit of X-factor, but at the same time being a calm head. I’ve been in this environment for two years now so I feel like I have a good understanding of how we want to play the game.”
When asked about his mindset this year, Love, who made his Test debut against Japan in Yokohoma late last year and scored two tries off the bench, said: “There have been times when, I wouldn’t say impatient is the word, but you get kind of frustrated just training all the time – that’s when you have coaches putting their arm around you and helping you grow. I’m still young.”
Robertson said: “You saw him at the Hurricanes at the back-end of the season playing 10. He trains really hard with us in both positions. It’s really hard when you have a world-class fullback in Will Jordan and the balance of it when you’re going for a Grand Slam… you’ve got someone like D-Mac who can rip a game apart.
“I’m sure the Hurricanes will have him closer to the 9 next year.
“He’s good in the air and he covers the back field really well. He has good timing on to the ball… he’s got a bit of everything back there. His anticipation for the game is great, especially with his back-field coverage.”
Love impressed with the Hurricanes this year, but so did his Super Rugby teammate Proctor, who started seven of the first eight Tests of the year at centre but has not found the transition easy.
With Jordan and McKenzie ahead of him as fullback options and the latter also a preferred impact player, and Beauden Barrett and McKenzie ahead of him at No.10 with Richie Mo’unga returning next year, Love, described as a "forgotten man" by his fans, may have to continue to be patient for a while yet.
All Blacks match-day 23 to play Wales
(Test caps in brackets)
1. Tamaiti Williams (26), 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (42), 3. Pasilio Tosi (15), 4. Scott Barrett (88) (Captain), 5. Fabian Holland (11), 6. Simon Parker (7), 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (7), 8. Wallace Sititi (18), 9. Cortez Ratima (20), 10. Damian McKenzie (73), 11. Caleb Clarke (32), 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (87), 13. Rieko Ioane (87), 14. Will Jordan (53), 15. Ruben Love (4).
Reserves: 16. George Bell (3), 17. Fletcher Newell (34), 18. George Bower (24), 19. Josh Lord (11), 20. Christian Lio-Willie (3), 21. Finlay Christie (27), 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku (11), 23. Sevu Reece (36).
Unavailable for selection: Peter Lakai (calf), Tevita Mafileo (rib), Luke Jacobson (concussion), Samipeni Finau (family illness), Jordie Barrett (high ankle).
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