Meet the All Blacks

Apologies, but let’s start the low numbers with a cliché: Loosehead prop Moody is the cornerstone of both the Crusaders and All Blacks pack and a big part of why the former team has been so dominant in terms of scrummaging over the past five years. Moody, not without a sense of humour but relatively short on words, has one of the lowest profiles in the All Black pack which one imagines is just fine by him as he – another cliché alert – prefers to do his talking on the field. A former wrestler, Moody had an incredible World Cup in 2015 when he replaced the injured Wyatt Crockett and played a storming quarter-final against France. It was enough to earn starts in the semifinal and final at Twickenham and he’s been the go-to No1 ever since. 

Another Crusader, Taylor has grown considerably over the last three years, a period which has coincided with near constant injuries to his main All Blacks rival Dane Coles. Taylor’s scrummaging and mauling are perhaps his main strengths given his size and strength but his passing game has improved considerably and his ability to offload and put teammates into space cannot be underestimated. He also has genuine pace for a tight forward. He’s had an increased leadership role with the Crusaders and Canterbury – particularly this year – which has helped an already mature individual grow that side of his game too. 

The main who famously supplemented his training during the first Covid-19 lockdown by donning a harness, gritting his teeth, and pulling a Ford SUV was a big mover in Super Rugby Aotearoa and as such thoroughly deserves his opportunity here. It wasn’t just Tuungafasi’s scrummaging which impressed, it was the way he got around the park for the Blues and shut the door in the most impactful way possible on all of those attackers trying to get through him or around him. It was a big and welcome step up for the 28-year-old who has had the physical gifts for a long time and now appears to understand what it takes to operate consistently at the highest level. 

Patrick Tuipulotu was another Blues player who went to the next level this year. Whether it was the captaincy or merely an attitude change, who knows, but at last he has begun to play to his size – and at 125kg he is an immensely large and powerful individual. It was his defence and ball carrying which really set him apart for most observers. Rather than think too much about what he should be doing, this year once Tuipulotu received the ball he tucked it under an arm and used his natural gifts to the fullest. The 27-year-old played like a seasoned veteran and with Brodie Retallick unavailable this year, the sight of the big man in full flight would have been manna from heaven for All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

Sam Whitelock is now the most experienced player in the All Blacks by far and it was to the Crusaders’ great benefit that he played for Scott Robertson’s men in Super Rugby Aotearoa once his sabbatical in Japan was put on hold due to Covid-19. He was hugely disappointed to miss out on the All Blacks’ captaincy after his success in the role at the Crusaders over the past couple of years (and All Blacks occasionally), which, given his competitive instincts, would have surprised few. Whitelock is a lineout technician and re-start expert and will have a big part to play alongside Sam Cane in terms of overall strategy this year. Possesses a diesel-like engine but can surprise with his pace. 

Cane’s selection as All Blacks captain didn’t come without its criticism from some within the media and there will be scrutiny on how he performs as a player and leader against the Wallabies. This is a fresh start for the All Blacks and Cane will be expected to stamp his mark immediately. His brutal honesty in dissecting his and his team’s performances should stand him in good stead, as should his incredible courage in coming back from a broken neck suffered in 2018. He also possesses a pair of the hardest shoulders in the game – Cane’s defensive toughness can sometimes be underestimated but those opposition players who dare run into his channel near the breakdown or scrum usually don’t forget about it in a hurry.

One of the most dynamic and exciting loose forwards in the modern game, Savea was one of the best players in a black jersey last year but unfortunately for him the World Cup, where many predicted he would properly announce himself on the world stage, didn’t go his way or the way of the All Blacks. A knee injury in the semifinal defeat set him back this year but he’s now returned to the form which has won over international coaches everywhere, including former Wallabies boss Michael Cheika, who was a big fan. Savea’s pace, power and ball skills – attributes that were honed by a background in sevens – set him apart. 

One of the best halfbacks ever produced by New Zealand for his longevity and near constant improvement, it’s not difficult to see the now 31-year-old continuing until the next World Cup in 2023. Smith’s speed of pass and ability to get to near endless breakdowns is what has set him apart and it’s as good today as it was when he made his test debut against Ireland at Eden Park in 2012. Smith hasn’t always had a perfect balance in his game – early in his All Black career he had form dips with the Highlanders because he tried to do too much but he has developed into an incredibly consistent player whose competitiveness is always on display. 

He has played only 17 tests but must be considered one of the best No10s in the world, if not the best – although teammate Beauden Barrett might have something to say about that. Richie Mo’unga’s form this year for the Crusaders was on a different level and prior to 2020 he helped the red and blacks to three Super Rugby titles in a row. Deceptively strong and powerful, Mo’unga, still only 26, has it all, including the ability to create time and space for himself and all of his teammates. He’s a special talent who learned from the best – Dan Carter – and his experiences at last year’s World Cup appear to have given him an extra boost. He has vision and is unflappable. Easily one of the best players in the world.  

Last year George Bridge was thrown in the deep end at Eden Park a week after the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup horror show in Perth and his performance must have exceeded his expectations. It was brilliantly assured despite the enormous pressures. Bridge, 25, is originally from Gisborne but his professional rugby education has taken place in Christchurch. He performs like a typical Scott Robertson-type product; a ruthless adherence to the fundamentals with the confidence to take risks when the percentages are in his favour. Capable of scoring freakish tries with his pace and occasionally with his boot – he scored a memorable one against the Hurricanes this year when hacking a long Sevu Reece pass ahead and beating Jordie Barrett to the ball. 

Another understated high achiever of a midfielder. Jack Goodhue looked like an All Black in waiting as soon as he started playing for the Crusaders due mainly to his composure but also his ability to straighten an attack and incredible accuracy on defence. After his test debut – a start against France in Dunedin in 2018, Goodhue said he was shocked by the pace of the game but he certainly didn’t look out of place that night alongside Sonny Bill Williams and he’s steadily improved since. An offloading specialist who often featured in Super Rugby highlight reels over the last couple of years, Goodhue is wiser than his 25 years would suggest. Dependable and capable of the remarkable. 

Ioane was the best left wing in the world bar none in 2018 before a slide in form opened the door for George Bridge. Now he appears to be back to near his best and with another string to his bow – at least at Super Rugby level – the ability to play centre. After the World Cup, a disappointing one for him, Ioane stripped his game back to the basics, got fitter, and is now once again the devastating runner he was when he burst on to the international scene in 2017 after a taster against Italy in Rome at the end of the previous year. A brilliant finisher, now Ioane is a better distributer and defender too.

Tall and fearless, Jordie Barrett shot to prominence during the British and Irish Lions tour three years ago and, while a few wrinkles have crept into his game since then (he can occasionally be too ambitious attacking-wise), Barrett the younger has matured into an extremely effective and versatile outside back who can also play in the midfield. Another valuable attribute is his ability to nonchalantly kick goals from halfway. His size and power means he can go through defenders as well as around them. Deadly under a cross kick. Still only 23 years old.

One of the best strategists and broken-field runners in the game, Barrett sent a reminder about his ability to change a match when starring for Taranaki in their recent Ranfurly Shield victory over Canterbury. His opponent at first-five was none other than Richie Mo’unga. It goes without saying that Barrett is world class at either No10 or fullback, and, while he wasn’t at his best in terms of individual form in his first season at the Blues this year there is little doubt his presence in Leon MacDonald’s backline gave the team a composure it hasn’t had in years. They also happened to enjoy their best season since 2011. Barrett’s performances against the British and Irish Lions in 2017 occasionally prompted gasps from the Northern Hemisphere journalists.

The man who redefined what is possible for a hooker to achieve in terms of a dynamic running game, who could beat outside backs on the outside and forwards on the inside and who made playing in the front row about as cool as it’s ever been for impressionable young minds, is creaking a little. For Coles, calf and Achilles injuries are an ever-present concern. The end can’t be too far away for the 33-year-old so we should all enjoy watching him while we can because he is truly a joy to watch, whether it’s when he’s sailing a little close to the wind in terms of his discipline – especially against the Wallabies - or putting in a cheeky late tackle (not dangerous, we hasten to add) on Beauden Barrett after his former Hurricanes teammate joined the Blues.

4.6: average gain in metres in Super Rugby 2020
11: tries in 69 tests

The man with the most famous mustache in New Zealand rugby had a horror time of it last year due to illness, a setback which cost him a place in the World Cup squad. Fortunately, the former security guard who famously went back to rugby on medical advice in a bid to lose weight isn’t finished yet, and, after a resurgent season for the Blues he’s back in black. The man with the unique back story honed his scrummaging technique in the second division of French rugby and few who watched his All Blacks debut against France will forget his first test scrum. With the All Blacks behind on the scoreboard five minutes after halftime at Eden Park and struggling at scrum-time, Tu’inukuafe replaced Joe Moody and immediately won a penalty which was kicked by Beauden Barrett. The act helped elevate the genial Tu’inukuafe to Kiwi folk hero status.

170kg: Tu’inukuafe’s weight after leaving school

Laulala, who has six brothers and a sister, is a high achiever in a high achieving family. The Chiefs prop’s dad, Etil, is a commercial pilot and an executive for Samoa Airways and had the honour of piloting the airline’s maiden voyage to Auckland. Nepo and three of his brothers have played for Counties Manukau, and one, Casey, a midfielder, played two tests for the All Blacks. Nepo, who dedicated his place in the World Cup squad last year to the other Samoans who make New Zealand their home, missed out on a World Cup place in 2015 and is another to have battled serious injuries. The tighthead needed two operations to fix a broken arm in 2018 and had his 2016 season wrecked by a knee injury.   

0: tries in 26 tests
6: tests against Australia

An old-fashioned bolter in the All Blacks squad, Tupou Vaa’i had to introduce himself to a majority of his new squadmates, including hooker Codie Taylor who this week admitted he didn’t know who the Taranaki and Chiefs lock was at the start of the season. Vaa’i gets his opportunity thanks to his form in Super Rugby and the Mitre 10 Cup and, if anything, his performances in the latter competition improved following his inclusion into the All Blacks squad, a state of affairs hugely pleasing for forwards coach John Plumtree. Vaa’i is also a beneficiary of Scott Barrett’s toe injury and Brodie Retallick’s unavailability but appears a very good prospect due to his size and power. His family celebrated his All Blacks call-up with screams and tears so one can only imagine how they will react when he runs on to the Sky Stadium pitch against the Wallabies. 

116: Vaa’i’s weight in kgs at the age of 20
1.96: his height in metres

Any Blues supporters who happened to be on the sideline at Takapuna Rugby Club at the start of the year when their team took on the Hurricanes on a blazing hot day more suited to playing cricket than rugby must have watched as loose forward Hoskins Sotutu ran himself and his opponents into the pitch with an incredibly dynamic performance must have thought… can the (then) 21-year-old really be that good and can he back it up? Turns out yes he is and yes he can. Sotutu, the son of former Blues and Crusaders wing Waisake, has real size and presence to go with his ball carrying ability which marks him out as perhaps the best long-term option to replace the great Kieran Read at No8. 

91: tackle percentage in Super Rugby in 2020
106: carries in 10 games for the Blues this year

Perenara has had the misfortune to be around at the same time as Aaron Smith which means his opportunities in the black jersey have been limited in terms of starts. His left foot is a point of difference as is his maturity and importance in terms of setting standards in the team. Forthright in terms of his off-field opinions, on-field he ensures referees have absolute clarity on how Perenara feels about most decisions. A tough competitor like his rival Smith, Perenara gained World Cup immortality with his try in the left corner against Namibia last year. Take another look, it was a thing of beauty. 

16: starts in his 64 tests for the ABs

An almost complete midfielder, perhaps Lienert-Brown’s best attribute is his knack for putting his teams on the front foot via his footwork or sometimes brute strength. Like his midfield partner Jack Goodhue, Lienert-Brown invariably takes the correct option and has a very low error rate. Difficult to defend against because of his offloading ability. Again, he’s like Goodhue there. Lienert-Brown is an excellent defender who can make a nuisance of himself at the breakdown. He became known as a specialist bench player before demanding starts last year due to his quality and consistency. Versatile and yet consistent – he’s a near perfect squad player.

89 tackle percentage in Super Rugby 2020

The schoolboy sprint specialist had shown promise for Auckland and the Blues but it took a season with the New Zealand sevens team to unlock his potential. When Clarke, the son of Blues and All Blacks midfielder Eroni, returned to Leon MacDonald’s team at the start of the year he was a different player; super aggressive with the ball and a nightmare at re-starts for the receiving team. Clarke’s size and power gives him a real point of difference in terms of his wing rivals at the All Blacks. And he’s still only 21. The Wallabies should expect fireworks every time Clarke gets the ball. 

10.72sec: Clarke’s best 100m time set while at high school