Well at least we know who the head coach is.
This was the season from which many All Blacks fans were seeking certainty.
With the Rugby World Cup looming it would have been comforting to know – regardless of this year’s results – that a true team was emerging.
We know Ian Foster isn’t going anywhere and that there are a couple of good hookers, three or four competent props, a reliable lock or two and an exceptional No.8.
Beyond that, though, it would be a stretch to confidently say we have an outstanding or clearly defined All Blacks first XV in our midst.
New Zealand’s not alone there and, as we cast our minds towards France 2023, it is nice to see we have as many as five genuine contenders for the title.
From our point of view, though, we’re unfortunately no further on from where we were 12 months ago.
Every spot in the backline remains up for grabs and – if they’re not – then they should be.
We’re still only certain about the identity of one of the loose forwards and, worryingly, we don’t have a captain.
I’ll go back to front here.
Beauden Barrett does not enthuse me at fullback and I feel his presence in the side further undermines the already unconvincing Richie Mo’unga at 10.
Will Jordan’s best spot is fullback and he does a serviceable job on the wing. Caleb Clarke, on the other flank, is a fine athlete but still a fairly incomplete footballer.
Mark Telea has emerged, there’s still Sevu Reece and if it were me picking the team, Rieko Ioane would be in the 11 jumper or not on the park at all. Ioane is simply a defensive liability at centre and doesn’t pass enough on attack.
Where does Anton Lienert-Brown fit? Can Jack Goodhue come again? Are we sure Jordie Barrett is a 12?
I’m an unabashed Lienert-Brown fan, but he’s only a bench man if we persist with Jordie Barrett and Ioane. To me, we need as many proven, reliable performers on the park as we can find and Lienert-Brown is definitely one of those.
Although, at least while he’s in the mix – be it at 12, 13 or on the bench – we don’t have to entertain the idea that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s a test footballer anymore.
The Mo’unga situation is a shame. I’ve argued for Beauden Barrett to be the permanent first five-eighth, but the inconvenient truth is that – for all their undoubted ability – neither he nor Mo’unga has ever really taken their chance there.
