All Blacks coach Ian Foster on eve of USA departure. Video / allblakcs.com
OPINION:
The All Blacks could feasibly roll out a collection of provincial players and still expect to comfortably roll over the USA in Washington DC next week. While the first stop on the five-match tour is a money-making venture, it presents valuable exposure for many fringe prospects and returning veteransalike. Liam Napier assesses who has the most to gain from a test against the world No 17.
Dalton Papalii
On ice with a hamstring injury for the past month, since the first of two Rugby Championship wins over the Pumas on September 12, Papalii's physical presence was missed against the Springboks. Had he been fit Papalii would have started at openside, with Ardie Savea shifting to No 8. With Sam Cane returning from his six-month absence in a one-off Heartland appearance for King Country, time is running out for Papalii to absorb test experience in his preferred seven role. Long earmarked as a classy talent, Papalii made his test debut three years ago but only this season, after a breakout campaign with the Blues where he was the best openside in New Zealand, has he gained genuine prominence. He started four tests in a row, including the 3-0 Bledisloe Cup sweep, before being sidelined by the hamstring issue. Ian Foster and John Plumtree hold the 24-year-old in high regard, but Cane's return complicates the picture so it's important Papalii makes the most of the USA fixture.
Third choice halfbacks and hookers always get the raw deal on tour. Lots of training, little action, while the other two rotate. In Christie's case, however, he will be lapping up an unexpected opportunity after Aaron Smith opted to remain home for the birth of his second child. The Scottish-born Blues halfback played his first two tests off the bench in July, while TJ Perenara satisfied eligibility criteria after returning from Japan, and savoured his third appearance against Argentina. The USA offers the chance to hand Christie his first start where his dynamic running game and support play could come to the fore.
Ethan de Groot
The only squad member not to see game time during the Rugby Championship will be desperate for a gallop. De Groot, the 23-year-old Southland and Highlanders loose head prospect, is among a new breed of emerging front rowers for the All Blacks. Hindered by a neck injury in Australia that stunted his development, de Groot was forced to watch others progress. A hit out against the USA will be welcomed, and should suit his destructive ball-in-hand abilities. Could be a big mover in the coming weeks.
George Bridge
Dropped after a horror episode under the high ball against the Springboks, the USA shapes as the perfect chance to rebuild Bridge's confidence. The Crusaders wing has endured a stop-start year after his Super Rugby campaign was cut short by appendicitis. The All Blacks kept faith in him, relegating the in-form Sevu Reece to the bench to give Bridge tests against the Wallabies and Pumas to build his form. That progress came to an abrupt halt under the high ball assault from the Boks. A leisurely trot, a few easy tries, should help Bridge move past those struggles.
Hoskins Sotutu
Hoskins Sotutu. Photo / Photosport
After a breakthrough 2020 season, the Blues No 8 has fallen down the pecking order this year. Perhaps a classic case of second year syndrome, he hasn't delivered the physical prowess demanded from the All Blacks loose forwards. Sotutu featured in five of six tests last year, but has been restricted to three thus far in 2021. With Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson ranked ahead of him in the eight role, Sotutu must nail a rare chance to make an impression.
Dane Coles
Something of a forgotten man in the All Blacks front row. The 76-test veteran hasn't featured for the All Blacks since the first outing against Fiji in July, only making his comeback with Wellington last week from another problematic calf issue. As much as dynamic hookers Samasoni Taukeiaho and Asafo Aumua added during the Rugby Championship, Coles' experience will be invaluable in helping amend lineout issues against the Boks. His iconic mongrel and skills on the edge will also add another dimension.
The injured captain will be well short of match fitness after one hit out in the past six months with King Country, and is therefore certain to play some part against the USA. Ordinarily, Cane would skip this match but after such a long layoff following pectoral surgery, he needs all the rugby he can get. Cane isn't expected to immediately regain the captaincy duties, with Sam Whitelock likely to lead the team in Washington DC. Once Cane, one of world rugby's hardest hitters, gets up to speed he will add serious starch to the All Blacks defence.
Braydon Ennor
Braydon Ennor. Photo / Photosport
Another Crusader on the comeback from appendicitis - is there something in the water in Christchurch? - Ennor looms as a likely starter at centre after being limited to one appearance off the bench against Argentina this year. The midfield remains an area of contention, with Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane contesting the centre role and David Havili struggling to impose his skill in the face of the Springboks rush defence. Ennor is yet to prove himself at test level but he possesses lethal pace on the outside break and will relish the chance to make his first start, probably alongside Chiefs second-five Quinn Tupaea, who has impressed in his cameos.
Shannon Frizell
In the highly-competitive loose forwards Frizell has lost significant ground to Akira Ioane and Ethan Blackadder. He was denied a visa to enter Australia while his assault case was before the courts. The charges - male assaults female and another of common assault – against Frizell following an incident at a Dunedin nightclub in May were dropped last month, leaving him free to rejoin the All Blacks northern tour. After turning out for Tasman in recent weeks Frizell will be keen to move past that dark cloud. At his best Frizell is a beast with ball in hand and on defence, but he's battled to consistently deliver those qualities for the All Blacks.
