Ruben Love should be handed the All Blacks fly-half reins when they take on France in the Nations Championship next weekend.
That is according to former Test star Murray Mexted, who states that his view has been altered following the 25-year-old’s performances in the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs.
Love has been named in the wider training squad alongside Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, who are all competing for that fly-half spot.
However, many now believe that the Hurricanes man should be given the nod for the Nations Championship, and Mexted has added his support for the younger playmaker.
Relationship with Roigard and Barrett
“I think Ruben Love is playing on form,” he told DSPN with Martin Devlin.
“Two weeks ago, if you had said: ‘Would you drop McKenzie and Barrett, and play Love?’ In fact, I was asked that 25,000 times and I would say: ‘No, I wouldn’t’.
“But in the last two weeks I’ve changed my mind and Dave Rennie would have seen it too. He played so well and he played so well with [Cam] Roigard and with Jordie Barrett, and that’s really important.”
As Mexted stated, Love’s cause is helped by the likely inclusions of fellow ‘Canes stars Roigard and Barrett, who are set to take the scrum-half and inside centre spots respectively.
That prompted host Devlin to chime in, saying: “It’s a powerful image he must have watching those guys cohesively play like that,” and the former All Black agreed.
“He’s also got confidence because he’s wanting to have a go. He’s looking for opportunities but if he can’t quite make it he can flick it to Jordie and Jordie will tidy it up,” Mexted added.
“I think it’s a great thing to do; the subconscious factor. There was a coach of mine once who said that two players that understand each other are equivalent of three opponents.
“Two are as good as three if they know each other, so I do think that Love deserves to have a go.”
Risk of Rennie being conservative?
Mexted does not believe it is a guarantee that Love will start against France in the All Blacks’ Test opener and certain coaches may well be more conservative with their selection.
The 72-year-old reckons that is not the case for Rennie, however, and is confident that the rising star will be selected over McKenzie and Barrett.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t start Love; he’s got McKenzie and Barrett there, who are both vastly experienced and outstanding footballers, but Love’s on fire,” he said.
“Knowing Dave like I do, he might play Love and that would be great. He’s outside Roigard; that’s the guy he’s been playing with, so I think that’s good too. He’s inside Barrett, the guy he’s been playing with.”