A day after a match he described as the toughest of the three Tests against France, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has turned his attention to the Rugby Championship and his team’s upcoming two-week tour of Argentina.
There are question marks over the fitness of Tyrel Lomax, the tighthead prop who needs a scan on one of his thumbs following the All Blacks’ 29-19 victory at Waikato Stadium, plus replacement halfback Noah Hotham, who has a high ankle sprain.
There are plenty of other bumps and bruises among the 23 who overcame a halftime deficit to keep the tourists scoreless in the second half in Hamilton, but Robertson declared himself happy with the way his experimental squad finished off the series 3-0 and he will be just as pleased at the thought of some returning reinforcements.
Skipper Scott Barrett (calf tear), Beauden Barrett (hand fracture), and Wallace Sititi (ankle) are on track to be on the plane for their team’s start to the Rugby Championship and the first Test in Cordoba on Sunday, August 17 and a week later in Buenos Aires.
Robertson will name his squad of 36 on Monday, August 4. Several players will be involved in the NPC that weekend, he said.
Caleb Clarke, a late withdrawal from the Wellington Test due to an ankle sprain, Rieko Ioane, out on the eve of last night’s match due to a hamstring issue, and Tupou Vaa’i (concussion) will almost certainly be available too but it is the recovery of the two Barretts and Sititi, Robertson’s standout loose forward who didn’t play this month, that will be the biggest boosts.
Lock Fabian Holland, who played his third consecutive 80-minute Test last night after making his debut in Dunedin, must be running on metaphorical fumes by now, and to a lesser extent the same could be said for the experienced Patrick Tuipulotu.
Having built depth through the series, Robertson will want his key men available for the bigger challenges ahead – and the Pumas qualify as that these days – along with the two massive Tests against South Africa in Auckland and Wellington which follow in September.
“The majority of players have performed on and off the field, which is really important,” Robertson said today.
“There will be some tough calls in the next few weeks. We are looking forward to a few players playing in the NPC as well to give us some depth. The balance of our squad… and the backs and forwards split are the next questions for us.”
Holland will likely be the find of the series for Robertson and company, but they are unlikely to be surprised at the way the 22-year-old has taken to Test rugby.
Robertson has said that the Highlanders’ work ethic is notorious to the point where he has to be told to stop training, and Dutchman is clearly blessed with an efficient cardiovascular system.
Of the others, Du’Plessis Kirifi has made the most of his chances – he scored an important try last night after being told in the minutes before kick-off that he was starting in the No.7 jersey following Luke Jacobson’s quadriceps injury.
Fullback Ruben Love also had his moments in his first Test start, with centre Billy Proctor, who started the first two Tests, improving.
The experiment of starting Tupou Vaa’i – not involved last night due to concussion – on the blindside flank was a clear success and they missed his height, bulk, and workrate.
But the other big upside for Robertson was the way the bench – a big area of focus this year – performed in a Test during which skipper Ardie Savea said his side got an early punch on the nose.
Halfback Hotham was lively when replacing Cortez Ratima, flanker Dalton Papali’i was physical and busy, props George and Fletcher Newell were strong, midfielder Jordie Barrett was outstanding.
The All Blacks could not seal the deal until the final quarter and the bench’s impact was crucial.
“It was the toughest of the three Tests, easily,” Robertson said. “All the contact stats are through the roof. There are a lot of sore bodies.
“They were spirited and tough,” he said of the French. “We couldn’t quite get away on them enough to put them away. It was a reflection on how much they cared last night.”