Analysis: Dave Rennie can currently select four Test locks in his squad next month but, beyond that quartet, the cupboard is rather bare, writes Patrick McKendry.
Scott Barrett’s back injury, on top of Fabian Holland’s shoulder problem, has put the spotlight on the All Blacks’ locking stocks ahead of the July international series.
All Blacks’ captain Barrett will be out of the game for up to five months following surgery this week which will rule him out of the upcoming Nations Championship, and, more significantly, the four Tests against the world champion Springboks in August and September.
The loss of Barrett, who has played 91 Tests, will be felt keenly not only because of his leadership but also his quality and consistency.
Fortunately, Holland’s prognosis is far better following surgery on a dislocated shoulder at the start of the year which has sidelined him at the Highlanders this season.
While he will miss the July Tests against France, Italy and Ireland, he is likely to be on track for the "Greatest Rivalry" tour of South Africa.
“Three months post-surgery now, range of motion is going well, we’re slowly starting to build and strengthen the shoulder up,” Holland said in a clip posted by the Highlanders’ social media accounts a fortnight ago.
“It’s been a good journey so far. There’s obviously been a bit of disappointment missing the [Super Rugby] season, but I’ve been enjoying the journey itself, learning a lot about my body, and working on things outside of my rehab.
“Obviously, as a rugby player, you don’t often get the chance to work six months on your body and get stronger in certain parts that you normally don’t have the time for. It’s been quite exciting and quite good to have quality time to put into your body. In that case, it’s been quite good.”
Last year, Scott Robertson picked four locks in his squad of 33 to play the three Tests against France in July – Barrett, newcomer Holland who proceeded to take the series by storm and was later recognised as World Rugby's breakout player of the year, Tupou Vaa’i and Patrick Tuipulotu,
New coach Dave Rennie will name 34 players for his first squad on June 22.
Assuming they remain fit, the four locks will almost certainly be Chiefs player Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu (who has not been named to play for the Blues against the Chiefs this weekend due to a neck issue), fellow Blues man Sam Darry, and Josh Lord from the Chiefs.
While it is not known what position Rennie’s 34th squad player will be, a fifth lock would be a prudent selection given how thin the stocks are becoming.
It is also possible that Leicester Fainga'anuku's versatility as an outside back and loose forward could provide Rennie with a little more wriggle room to select an extra one or two locks.
The impressive Vaa’i (45 Tests) and experienced Tuipulotu (58 ) will likely be the starting locks against France in Christchurch on July 4 but beyond Darry (eight) and Lord (12), the proverbial cupboard is rather bare.
What Rennie would do for the opportunity to select New Zealand-born Hurricanes and Japan lock Werner Dearns, currently the form lock in Super Rugby, or former All Black Brodie Retallick, who plays under Rennie for Japanese club Kobe.
Up-and-comers such as Crusader Jamie Hannah, Naitoa Ah Kuoi from the Chiefs and Hurricane Isaia Walker-Leawere will likely be in the frame and one of the trio could find himself in the squad next month – if only for the experience and development – ahead of a gruelling tour of South Africa which also features four mid-week games.
Rennie will name a squad of about 44 for that tour.
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