All Blacks will have to be at their best
The Rugby Paper|October 20, 2024
IN some ways the New Zealand system means that they are not at full strength between World Cups. You can see it in the way fly-half Richie Mo’unga, blindside Shannon Frizell, and veteran lock Brodie Retallick, who are all in Japan, are ruled out by taking up overseas contracts, despite being number one picks before they went.
JEREMY GUSCOTT
All Blacks will have to be at their best

It’s a bit confusing because other All Blacks who are also playing club rugby in Japan, like Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, and Sam Cane, are available to New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson because they are on overseas sabbaticals awarded to key players by NZ Rugby.

However, if players like Mo’unga take up overseas contracts it gives them time to have a respite in a less demanding rugby environment, and it also gives New Zealand the opportunity to discover new talent and build the overall strength of their squad.

There are still so many players in some positions in New Zealand with the same quality of skill-set that it is not a player drain, but in some positions – like fly-half at the moment – it is difficult to replace Mo’unga because of the inconsistency of Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett at 10.

Every side suffers when players are inconsistent, and New Zealand are no different. McKenzie is a classic Barbarians/Harlem Globetrotters style of fly-half, and everything is sexy about the rugby he produces.

What you’ve got in McKenzie is a bit of a Carlos Spencer, or Freddie Michalak, who just wants to go out and play, and be a free spirit. The only issue with these guys is that they are not tactical bosses on the field, or commander-in-chief strategic kickers – i.e. the sort of game- manager 10s that Northampton’s Fin Smith promises to be.

I love watching McKenzie, and at Bath they still talk about his majestic performance for the Barbarians a couple of years ago at The Rec. However, while he’s the player everyone wants to see, the great entertainer stuff is not always what his Test team-mates want to see. He’s brilliant – but it’s also the ying and yang of rugby union.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView all
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
The Rugby Paper

Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen

HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Joe keen to follow in family footsteps

JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
The Rugby Paper

Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry

COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Hancox joins the 200 club
The Rugby Paper

Hancox joins the 200 club

AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
The Rugby Paper

Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under

FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
To play in two World Cups was a dream
The Rugby Paper

To play in two World Cups was a dream

RUGBY started quite late for me.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Call time on this pantomime ploy
The Rugby Paper

Call time on this pantomime ploy

THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
The Rugby Paper

Coetzee's pulling his weight again

WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
The Rugby Paper

Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...

BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
We need to kick on after winning at last
The Rugby Paper

We need to kick on after winning at last

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run

time-read
5 mins  |
October 27, 2024