All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane takes on the Wallabies at Eden Park. Photo / Brett Phibbs, Photosport
All Blacks centre Rieko Ioane takes on the Wallabies at Eden Park. Photo / Brett Phibbs, Photosport
With the Rugby Championship complete, we asked what team would be selected from the four competing nations to take on a Northern Hemisphere side in a hypothetical clash of the hemispheres.
15. Jordie Barrett
He had his best showing of the year in the No 12 jersey, but that slotis full in our team and Barrett's height – along with a solid pair of hands – is needed at the back for defusing bombs. Brings a mighty boot and a savvy eye for the gap.
14. Will Jordan
Proved himself the man most likely to find a little space out of nothing when able to run on the shoulder of a good offload.
The converted winger missed a few chances to link that would have been snapped up by great All Blacks centres of old. But he made a couple of the best breaks of the series and improved defensively as the season has gone on. Lukhanyo Am, of the Boks, was terrific until getting injured.
12. Damian de Allende
South Africa's midfield brute never takes a backward step and has some surprisingly deft touches. A stalwart on defence and in the breakdown melee, he'll take the pressure off our No 10 and you can rest assured the first ruck from a set piece will set things up nicely if he's carrying the ball.
A rare misstep at Eden Park cost his side early momentum when he caught the ball with a foot in touch as the tryline loomed. But the burly pace merchant has been a reliable finisher for the Wallabies throughout the series and has real X-factor.
10. Richie Mo'unga
A year out from the Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks selectors seem impressed by Mo'unga's smart game management. He varies his passing options nicely and can slip through the smallest gap. His short-kicking game is a strength and will be crucial for turning the in-your-face northerners.
9. Aaron Smith
No longer the electrifying force he once was, the All Blacks No 9 now often needs a dominant pack to shine. Even with fading light, his best is brighter than the rest. The long, bullet pass is still the benchmark for his rivals in the trade and he's a savvy, quick support runner.
8. Rob Valetini
The hard-nosed Wallaby loosie delivered as a ball carrier and a defensive rock, regardless of what was happening on the scoreboard. Brings brute force and physicality to the back of our scrum, getting the nod ahead of tough competition - Puma Pablo Matera and Bok Jasper Wiese wouldn't disappoint. And then there's this next guy...
Consistently among the best performers for the All Blacks in victory or defeat, there's always a sniff of something being on when he's near the ball. Few forwards in the game can match his ability to put runners into space. Savea is smart and tough when chasing turnovers at the breakdown, so we're shifting the No 8 to openside to bring balance to our trio.
Ardie Savea, Ethan de Groot and Samisoni Taukeiaho prepare for action. Photo / Photosport
6. Marcos Kremer
A monstrous defensive presence and breakdown brute, this bloke can play in any jersey from 4 to 8, and there were moments in Christchurch where he seemed to be filling all of them at once. His teammates Matera and Juan Martin Gonzalez could also have done a decent job as blindside beasts for this team.
5. Sam Whitelock
At the heart of the All Blacks pack improvement as the season has gone on, Whitelock's renaissance has been an asset for the new coaching panel. His wily head keeps him a little higher in the air than his opponents and generally on the right side of the referees.
4. Eben Etzebeth
Pips teammate Lood de Jager as the man to bring Bok focus to our second row. Etzebeth is tough and mobile with good handling skills and impressive spring in the air. He's been at the heart of Springbok efforts in good times and bad and never backs down... just ask Allan Alaalatoa.
3. Frans Malherbe
Green-shirted beast and 45-minute specialist gets his considerable bulk in the way of us naming an all-All Blacks frontrow (hat-tip to Tyrel Lomax). His considerable scrummaging purchase is the main drawcard, but he also gets through a heap of tackling.
2. Samisoni Taukei'aho
Sudden fan favourite has a fabulous workrate, always hits the mark with set-piece delivery and is a gnarly proposition for defenders when hitting the tryline on short approach. On his watch, the All Blacks lineout fires, he steers a beautiful maul and he is a canny reader of play, knowing when to throw his considerable bulk in the breakdown. Malcolm Marx a close second.
1. Ethan de Groot
Did the All Blacks frontrow look average against Ireland because EDG wasn't selected? Or did he look great in the matches that followed because Ireland had gone home? We'll have a clearer answer in 12 months' time. Regardless, de Groot has had the better of his opponents in this series and deserves his extended starter's run. The Southern Man is well placed to put a long claim on the All Blacks No 1 jersey.
