Dave Rennie's first three Tests highlight enormous promise for his team and five players in particular have made the most of it, writes Patrick McKendry.
Rennie was asked in the aftermath of the All Blacks’ dominant victory over Ireland whether it was necessarily normal for a head coach of the team to be so pleased with a performance. He smiled and stated it was not all that common for him either.
It was about context, he said, and it was easy to agree with him. The All Blacks had just beaten the No.3 team in the world 40-21 (six tries to three) and had kept a remarkable record at Eden Park intact.
More than that, though, as most observers would agree, his players had made significant shifts from the first Test against France three weeks earlier, his attacking philosophies and shape are clear to see, and virtually all of his selection decisions, some of them bold, had paid off.
In conjunction with the apparent togetherness of the squad and improved cultural aspects of the group, all of the above are advances on the previous regime which ended suddenly and unceremoniously in January.
Far bigger Tests are around the corner, obviously, including an epic seven-match series against the world champions in South Africa, which includes three Tests, plus an extra money-making fixture against the Boks in Baltimore, USA, but the foundations appear solid and potential for growth sky-high.
Some of his more experienced players, including lock Patrick Tuipulotu, 33, who returned from injury to star in the first half against Ireland, and Asafo Aumua, 29, the replacement hooker at Eden Park who muscled his way over for a try and was later accurately described by Rennie as “a beast”, appear invigorated by the new management.
Likewise, centre Quinn Tupaea, who earned his 26th cap at the weekend, and openside flanker Luke Jacobson, who played his 27th Test, both of whom appear to have cemented themselves at the top in their positions over the three Nations Championship victories this month.
All Blacks’ biggest movers
Quinn Tupaea
Tupaea, 27, started against France and Ireland and is clearly now the best No.13 at the All Blacks. Tupaea’s partnership with second-five Jordie Barrett, one of the most influential on-field figures in the team, has continued to blossom and his work-rate, defence, and ability to get the ball free in the tackle marks him as a standout this month and a potentially important figure in South Africa.
Luke Jacobson
The 29-year-old has put his injury issues behind him and has thrived with continuity of selection under Rennie. Jacobson started in all three Tests, and, while he was yellow carded against Ireland when the All Blacks had the visitors in trouble on their own line, it was more of a slip than the brain explosion framed by some others. Jacobson has been picked primarily for his defence but showed he has an offloading game as evidenced by his pass on the right to set the prolific Will Jordan free against France.
Ruben Love
Likewise, Love, 25, has thrived with consistent game time. He started all three Tests at No.10 and, in the absence of the ineligible Richie Mo’unga, is clearly the best the All Blacks have in the position. Love put his very early yellow card against France behind him quickly to show some nice touches on attack and has the vision to deliver the All Blacks’ attacking philosophy based around constant movement and threats plus patience. Love showed his development with a deft kicking game at Eden Park. Rennie wanted more balance to the All Blacks’ game against Ireland and Love delivered it.
Josh Moorby
I have already waxed lyrical about the 28-year-old Moorby this week so I won’t pump up his proverbial tyres too much more other than to say he is a worthy inclusion on this list and that he appears to have the temperament and skillset to thrive at this level. Moorby has played only two Tests and has only one start under his belt but his game appears to make him an excellent option on the left wing in South Africa.
Anton Segner
The 24-year-old loose forward, like Moorby, made his Test debut off the bench against Italy, backed it up at Eden Park a week later, and looked utterly unfazed in both matches. The German-born Segner is clearly a driven and bright individual but he is also tough, can play several positions, and is a lineout option. An excellent start to what could be a long and successful Test career.
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