THE MONDAY AFTER New Zealand won their second Rugby World Cup, the New Zealand Herald insisted Steve Hansen, who was taking over from Graham Henry, needed to immediately start planning for the 2015 World Cup.
The streamers and ticker-tape was still lying on Queen Street, and around the Viaduct, yet the country’s leading newspaper was already looking to England 2015. Talk revolved around finding a genuine alternative to Dan Carter, nurturing a talented young scrum-half and possibly replacing Richie McCaw as he dipped out of his prime.
Three years on, and with the World Cup just over a year away, and the All Blacks are on the brink of surpassing a world record they currently share for Test wins. Three victories over a talented, dogged England team have Hansen’s men on 17 consecutive wins. The chance to make history will have to wait until 16 August and a Rugby Championship meeting with Australia in Sydney.
Looking at the New Zealand team that beat France 8-7 in the 2011 World Cup final, the current side looks considerably stronger. Nine of the players that started at Eden Park that evening were in the XV that beat England 36-13 in Hamilton today. Dan Carter is back from his sabbatical and will hope to challenge Aaron Cruden for the 10 jersey during the Rugby Championship but is no longer a lock for the position.
We will look at the five other positions that have new faces and the strength of the 2011 and 2015 benches.
Fullback: Israel Dagg v Ben Smith
Dagg is undoubtedly New Zealand’s best fullback but is currently injured. Smith has impressed in every position he has been tried at, including centre, but is at his best on the wing. Advantage: 2011
Outside centre: Conrad Smith v Malakai Fekitoa
Smith will turn 34 near the tail-end of the World Cup but, despite Hansen looking at alternatives, remains the go-to guy at 13. Scored a vital try in the first Test win over England but was rested this weekend to give the 22-year-old Highlander his first Test start. Advantage: None as Smith should start at 13
Left wing: Richard Kahui v Julian Savea
Kahui is out of the international picture after leaving the Chiefs to play for Toshiba Brave Lupus. A strong, silky winger, Kahui was somewhat of a flat-track bully whereas Savea batters anyone who gets in his way. The Hurricanes star, who will be 24 at next year’s tournament, scored a hat-trick on debut against Ireland and repeated the feat against England in Hamilton. He has 23 tries in 22 appearances in black. Advantage: 2015
Scrum-half: Piri Weepu v Aaron SmithWeepu was mercurial, and chipped in with vital kicks at goal, but Smith has been world-class at Test level from his debut, against Ireland, in June 2012. The diminutive No.9′s sharp passing and sniping breaks have added another dimension to the All Blacks’ game. Hansen’s only issue will be giving game-time to an able deputy but the ABs have 14 matches lined up between August and the start of RWC 2015. Advantage: 2015
Hooker: Keven Mealamu v Dan Coles
40 of Mealamu’s 113 Test caps have been on the bench but 73 starts are a testament to the man as he battled with Anton Oliver and Andrew Hore for the jersey in his early years. A try-scoring threat, the 35-year-old is eager to remain relevant ahead of the World Cup. Coles was given the nod for the summer series and impressed in Dunedin and Hamilton. Advantage: 2011
Second row: Brad Thorn v Brodie Retallick
Mosgiel’s finest is still looking to play competitive rugby even though he will turn 40 next February. New Zealand found a ready-made replacement for Thorn, however, in the Chiefs’ lock Retallick. Another AB to make his debut against Ireland at Eden Park, the 23-year-old has played 27 Tests in the past two years. Advantage: None
Benches: All Blacks circa 2011 were without the injured Carter, Mils Muliaina and Colin Slade. Their bench was populated with squad players but only Andrew Hore and Sonny Bill Williams could be class in the ‘world’ bracket. Ali Williams, Stephen Donald and Andy Ellis had their moments but often flattered to deceive in tournament rugby.
Hansen, in 2015, can call on the likes of [when fit] Carter, Slade, Wyatt Crockett, veteran Keven Mealamu, Dagg, Charles Piutau, Luke Romano, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Messam and Ireland’s Aviva Stadium bane, Ryan Crotty. Advantage: 2015
A certain SBW is back and signed up with Manawatu ahead of a likely Chiefs and Test rugby recall in 2015. That is, of course, if Hansen can find room for him in a fearsome, all-conquering squad.
