JUNE/JULY 2015 // NZ RUGBY WORLD //
41
[ market myths ]
The best Super Rugby teams are a mix of the best
young talent, working alongside the best experienced
talent. That’s the combination that seems to work.’
NO GAIN NO PAYNE
Jared Payne left in
2011 when many felt
he was close to being
an All Black.
Of those, Brad Thorn and Muliaina were
about the only two who had reached the
end of their natural life. The bulk of those
who moved on were men who still had
value – maybe not test players, but solid
Super Rugby professionals who had plenty
to offer.
The exit group included Jared Payne,
John Afoa, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany,
Neemia Tialata, Stephen Brett, Aled de
Malmanche, Colin Bourke and Isaac Ross.
Again, there was significant concern
about the probable impact. And again,
New Zealand coped – and that’s
underselling it. Super Rugby and the All
Blacks enjoyed – and continues to enjoy –
a golden period.
The Chiefs won back-to-back titles in
2012 and 2013 and the Crusaders were
only denied in 2014 by a shocking
refereeing call. The All Blacks have only
lost two games since the last World Cup
and more, they have regenerated their
personnel.
What happened in 2012 was fascinating.
An emerging generation of players were
given their chance amid fears they weren’t
ready. They didn’t have the experience or
the ability to cope with being thrust into
the professional game so young and with
only one ITM campaign behind them.
That was the lament.
Boom – the competition came to life
as a result of having players such as TJ
Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Sam Cane
and Brodie Retallick making regular
appearances. Other young men such as
Aaron Smith, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden
and Luke Romano found a whole new level.
The value and importance of the
so-called mid-tier – players with three-to-
five years Super Rugby experience and as
many ITM Cup campaigns behind them
– turned out to have been over estimated.
The best Super Rugby teams are a mix
of the best young talent, working alongside
the best experienced talent. That’s the
combination that seems to work. The next
cycle will inevitably prove that again.
Keep an eye on players such as Damian
McKenzie, Akira and Reiko Ioane, Blake
Gibson and Ardie Savea.
Super Rugby will be just fine – it will
chug along like always in 2016.
T
he situation might be a little
different with the All Blacks who
are purely about having the best
players.
The bulk of the players the All Blacks
wanted to keep beyond 2015, were signed
in 2014 and earlier this year – Owen
Franks, Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock,
Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Beauden
Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Sonny Bill
Williams, Malakai Fekitoa, Israel Dagg
and Ben Smith.
The nucleus of a world-class side is
there. But look at the All Blacks at the
moment – they have about 35-40 players
who are genuinely test class. By next year,
that number may drop to somewhere
between 20 and 25.
The expectation has always been that the likes of McCaw,
Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu would
either be heading offshore or retiring.
After incredibly loyal service – it was time for them to pursue
other opportunities. Their departures were planned for –
known about.
Similarly, it was always known there would be losses in the
mid-tier – that the likes of Tom Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Brendon
O’Connor, Willi Heinz and Luke Braid would move on.
What threw everyone, however, were the respective decisions
by Charles Piutau and Colin Slade to take the overseas offer. That
was absolutely not in the plan. Piutau, only 23, was seen as a
player with immense value both now and beyond. Electric pace,
fast feet and an incredible leg drive – he’s capable of playing wing,
fullback and centre.
There’s also a touch of magic in his portfolio and the All
Black coaches were clear – they wanted him and they believed
in his future.
It was much the same with Slade, the man who has shot to a
position of prominence in the last 12 months. Since he nailed a
last minute conversion to beat the Wallabies in Brisbane, he’s
blossomed into a spectacularly useful player who could on
current form be the best first-five in the country; the second best
fullback behind Smith and arguably the man the All Blacks would
use on the wing if they had an injury drama to the likes of Smith,
Savea and Jane.
With Carter and Taylor off as well, Slade’s decision to join Pau
will see the All Blacks go from having five quality No 10s to just
two. Not disastrous but a concern given the physical demands of
the berth and the injury histories of those who play there. It’s not
uncommon to have two, sometimes three first-fives in the
medical ward at the same time.
Piutau’s departure will have much the same effect on the
outside backs: Smith, Savea, Dagg and Jane will all be here, but
