There were talks at the start of Scott Robertson’s reign as head coach of the All Blacks that he was too conservative, sticking to what had worked in the past, rather than picking on form.
This sort of discussion has started to disappear, with Robertson making some brave initial calls this season with the All Blacks, throwing Fabian Holland straight into the mix, Tupou Vaa’i to blindside flanker and moving Rieko Ioane back to the wing.
This has been received relatively positively by the public, as many feel like the All Blacks need to develop more depth and change the way they play.
Jason Ryan, part of Robertson’s coaching staff, has talked to Martin Devlin on the DSPN Podcast to discuss the latest moves and selections the All Blacks have made to start the 2025 international campaign.
Ryan explains that the team for the second Test was selected to try and get some consistent combinations going.
“It’s just a chance for the whole team to get a little bit of rhythm and play two Tests together, two tests in a row where we sort of haven’t made many changes, so it just keeps us a little bit consistent across the board,” Ryan said.
When asked about whether Vaa’i’s move to blindside flanker is to try and prepare for the Springboks’ forward pack, Ryan explains that it just gives the All Blacks more options going forward.
“No, all it does is give us options, Tupou has got a phenomenal skill set; his footwork at the line and in the air is exceptional.
“It’s up there with the best in the world, as far as locks go, so we’re just like, well let’s have a look at him on the edge and in that six position, his aerial skills, attack and defence are a huge part of how we want to play.
Ryan admits that the All Blacks coaching staff were pleased with how Vaa’i went in his first Test there in Dunedin.
“So we were really satisfied with how he went last week, and he’s earned the right to have another crack at it. Big picture in mind, you know it just gives us options, really more than anything.”
With the All Blacks captain Scott Barrett missing the rest of the France Test series with a calf injury, Ardie Savea has stepped into the captaincy role, something that Ryan believes won’t impact the group too much.
“The leadership group as a whole, we’ve got a lot of leaders in our team, and they’ve all come together really well this year.
“They’re better off than last year, and I think that Ardie has his own way of leading, he’s unique in himself, so that allows him to probably grow other areas that Scooter (Barrett) hasn’t got, and vice versa.”
Ryan talks about how the Proctor combination with Jordie Barrett is building nicely, but needs another crack at it after last week’s performance.
“Billy just needs another game with Jordie at the Test level; they played a lot of Super Rugby together.
“I know Billy will be better off for last week, as we all would be in the team, and will have to be, because what the second Tests show you is both teams get better, so I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be better off for that first one.
The All Blacks assistant coach isn’t sure whether Ioane’s switch to the left wing could be a long-term thing, but believes it’s the best option for the Test match this week.
“Rieko gets another crack on the wing. If that’s long-term. Not sure. But each Test you try and look at where the combinations can be stronger and how we can build cohesion together.”
