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OPINION: The North vs. South game is not going to make or break the All Blacks’ careers.
In all likelihood, Ian Foster and selectors John Plumtree and Grant Fox already have a relatively firm idea of who is in and who is out of the All Blacks first team of the year.
Nonetheless, the Sky Stadium game in six days presents an opportunity for the players to show Foster and company that they are fit and fit.
Stuff has chosen 10 players, five from each side, who will be eager to impress.
READ MORE:
* Unfortunate All Black Luke Jacobson, shock omission for North-South clash
* Super Rugby Aotearoa Team of the Season: All Blacks had many options to choose from
* Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane main selection dilemmas for the renewed North-South clash
Masanori Udagawa / Getty Images
Damian McKenzie couldn’t find his best form as the Chiefs battled during Super Rugby Aotearoa.
THE NORTH
Damian McKenzie (Bosses)
The fullback’s attacking brilliance was rarely seen during Super Rugby Aotearoa and some of his tactical kicks were questionable.
After a serious knee injury in 2019, McKenzie has not regained the form that saw him end 2018 as the All Blacks’ preferred fullback option.
With Beauden Barrett named No. 10, Southland-raised McKenzie is likely to line up as a fullback for the north side versus South Island fullback Jordie Barrett, Beauden’s younger brother.
With both Taranaki-born Barretts, those eligibility quirks have already raised some eyebrows, including the Southland-born McKenzie, but he needs to put those reservations aside and just play well.
Even with a brilliant performance, he’s unlikely to land the All Blacks jersey number 15, but a spot at 23 could be at stake.
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Blues standout backrower Hoskins Sotutu is in a close race for a back row spot for the All Blacks.
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
The big number 8 is an All Black on hold but needs some playing time after his Super Rugby Aotearoa was cut in half by a knee injury – Sotutu has not played since July 11.
In his absence, Shannon Frizell’s star form of the Highlanders may have changed the thinking of the All Blacks as well.
As it stands, Foster could be favoring Frizell (No. 6), Sam Cane (No. 7) and Ardie Savea (No. 8) in the back row, so Sotutu could use a great game for the North.
Others in the bottom row mix, like Dalton Papalii and Akira Ioane, arguably offer more versatility than Sotutu, who has played exclusively at No. 8 this year, so Sotutu may miss the All Blacks; team for match day if you don’t start at number 8.
Sotutu is a true talent, but the Miter 10 Cup could also be an important platform for him to regain top form.
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Asafo Aumua is tackled by Pari Pari Parkinson and Aaron Smith during the Hurricanes-Highlanders game at Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes)
The muscle ball is likely locked in a close battle with the South’s Liam Coltman for the All Blacks’ third hook spot, so an orderly set-piece performance for the North would be very timely.
With Dane Coles’ calf issues a constant concern, Aumua could well start for the North, with simple instructions to nail down his main roles.
If he does, then the All Blacks can call up the 23-year-old for the Bledisloe tryouts and the Rugby Championship, if they go ahead.
Aumua is an X-factor player with the ball in hand and hits harder on defense than most people in the country. So now is the time to show the All Blacks that he can be trusted on set.
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Karl Tu’inukuafe has overcome numerous obstacles in his career, but he will have to dig deep to prove to the All Blacks that he is mobile enough to test rugby.
Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues)
Everyone loves Big Karl, and for good reason.
The gentle big man with the big mustache has a fabulous backstory that many find relatable, and his scrum power warms the hearts of twisted ex-props across the country.
However, he is in danger of becoming the forgotten man of the All Blacks, even though there is an obvious lack of depth behind Joe Moody.
With the backing of the Blues and Highlanders, Alex Hodgman and Ayden Johnstone, coming off good Super Rugby Aotearoa campaigns, Tu’inukuafe needs to prove that he is mobile enough not to be exposed to test-level defense.
For Tu’inukuafe, the challenge is getting to his feet quickly after making a tackle, a weakness that test teams would take advantage of.
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Sevu Reece made his way to the All Blacks last year, but had a calmer 2020.
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
The flying Crusaders wing hasn’t done much wrong this year, but the arrival of youngsters Caleb Clarke (Blues) and Will Jordan (Crusaders) has intensified the competition for the last three spots in the All Blacks.
Plus, the All Blacks can still see Jordie Barrett as a right-wing option, leaving two-thirds of last year’s selection panel to remain in place.
Reece, a former Waikato man, needs to light up the North-South game with his running game, and he’s likely to wear North’s No. 14 jersey before Mark Telea.
At best, Reece is a tackle crushing attempt machine, but Crusaders’ teammate Jordan has been outstanding for the Crusaders and his overall skill set can be seen as better suited for testing rugby.
THE SOUTH
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Will Jordan should improve his decision-making as his career evolves, but it is his ability to break through defensive lines that generates enthusiasm.
Will Jordan (crusaders)
There is nothing better than seeing a side or a side in space. Jordan does that.
The 22-year-old, who can play both positions and was a sensation for the Crusaders this year, is quickly becoming an important fixture in New Zealand rugby.
Though he hasn’t represented the All Blacks, at least not yet, Jordan is capable of putting himself back in the seats in games (when alert levels allow).
While his decision-making could improve, the sight of support runners digging their fingertips into his scalp is testament to his frustration at times, Jordan is brave under the ball high and bold on the fast break.
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Leicester Faingaanuku might be a slow burner in terms of making it to the All Blacks this year, but he’s one to watch.
Leicester Crusaders
If Faingaanuku does not have the opportunity to play for the South, and that is very possible, it will be a shame.
Born in Nuku’alofa, he moved to South Auckland with his family as a preschool child. Faingaanuku is often kind enough to inform opponents of his Tongan heritage on the field.
Like many Pacific Islanders who have done the game in New Zealand a favor by adding their unique flavor of power and speed to their competitions, 20-year-old Faingaanuku can create chaos when he spins his wheels.
Included as a midfielder on this team, his chances of getting ahead of All Blacks Jack Goodhue and Braydon Ennor seem remote. He had to watch them hog midfield space on the Crusaders. There could be more of that to come in this inter-island accessory.
Fingers crossed because the prediction is wrong.
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Highlander rower Shannon Frizell drives a wedge against the Crusaders.
Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Once a soccer goalkeeper from his native Tonga, he is now employed to protect the blind side of rugby scrums. When Frizell is on, it is on. We saw that in the Highlanders. His Super Rugby Aotearoa form gained momentum to the point where he was one of the best rowers in the competition.
Frizell, a late call for a shocked Luke Jacobson at the World Cup last year, started at No. 6 for the All Blacks in his most recent outing: the bronze medal game against Wales in Tokyo in November.
Athletic and fast, the 26-year-old could fit very well in a renewed last row of testing now that Kieran Read has retired. Consistency is key.
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The Crusaders’ Mitchell Dunshea launches against the Hurricanes on July 25.
Mitchell Dunshea (crusaders)
Dunshea is in one piece. That is a good start.
Fit and capable locks out a rare commodity in New Zealand right now. But that’s not to say Dunshea, 24, is alone on this Southern team by default. It would be rude to suggest that.
A member of the Crusaders team for the past few years, he proved to be a quality second row partner alongside All Blacks lineout king Sam Whitelock after Cullum Grace was injured in the second half of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The 1.97m Dunshea can also be a force with the ball in hand. An added bonus as he tries to give the All Blacks selectors adding fresh blood in the decimated second-row position.
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Can Tyrel Lomax rejuvenate his career with the All Blacks?
Tyrel Lomax (hurricanes)
Lomax, 24, once dreamed of playing for the Wallabies and represented Australians under the age of 20.
The son of former Kiwis forward John Lomax, the Canberra-born tight-headed mainstay could still be working hard for the Melbourne Rebels if he hadn’t been granted an early release to live in New Zealand in 2017.
Lomax’s debut with Tasman that year, which qualified him for the South, was followed by his first appearance with the Highlanders in 2018. He traded to the Hurricanes this season.
NZ Rugby had their eyes on Lomax for a reason. In 2018, he made his test debut for the All Blacks as a substitute against Japan in Tokyo.
Since then, nothing. Now is a good time to impress new All Blacks forward coach John Plumtree.
