Former All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson has spotted a problematic trend with New Zealand clubs in Super Rugby Pacific that is a “real area of concern” for Dave Rennie.
He says that the teams are struggling with their lineouts this season, with no real standout jumper other than the Hurricanes’ Japan international, Warner Dearns.
Wilson made the claim when discussing some of the potential All Blacks bolters for the upcoming international season, with former full-back Mils Muliaina praising the performances of Blues lock Sam Darry.
Area of concern
“I think Sam Darry has just been exceptional the last few weeks… he’s one of the guys who have really started to step up,” Muliaina said on the Breakdown show.
“Obviously, last year, he was out with injuries. I like the way he’s sort of going about things, even in the cleanout; that’s a department where he’s been really effective.”
Wilson hopes that Scott Barrett’s return from his non-playing sabbatical and injury will change things for the Crusaders, with the same being true for the Blues, who welcomed Patrick Tuipulotu back from injury against the Highlanders last weekend.
“We need a lock, a real lineout forward to step up over the next month or so as we get closer to the All Blacks,” Wilson began.
“Someone to actually own that space. I think all of the New Zealand teams are struggling at lineout time to find clear air, and whether it’s a Josh Lord, whether it’s the return of Scott Barrett, whoever it might be. Because of no Warner Dearns, he’s not available for the All Blacks. A lot of people wish he were. We kept picking him every week [in the team of the week], but he’s not [eligible].
“To me, that is an area of concern. Patrick Tuipulotu is back, but we need a real lineout player in the middle who can own that space. We used Fabian Holland with the All Blacks last year, and so did the Highlanders. So I look at that, and I think Darry is doing that really well.”
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All Blacks bolter
Meanwhile, the 52-year-old also picked out his bolter for the upcoming season as he praised German-born back-rower Anton Segner for his performances with the Blues.
The 24-year-old loose forward has been a consistent fixture in the Aucklanders’ back-row this season with Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu missing chunks of their campaign due to injury.
“I find it very difficult to find a bolter for the first three Test matches, but I think you can find some for the series in South Africa for that big touring group, and Anton Segner is the mover for me over the last few weeks,” Wilson said.
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“He has played multiple positions. I think getting some really good experience over the last three or four years, where he hasn’t had to play every week. He’s been behind some good guys, and when they’ve needed him to step up, he stepped up, and they’ve needed him to step up over the last couple of weeks with no Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu, and he has been really, really good.
“And you’re seeing all of his skills here, and that’s what I love about it. The fact that you’re talking ball carry, lineouts, and he loves getting on the ball and winning possession.
“So keep an eye on him over the next month or so. The Blues are going to play him at six, I would say, when everyone’s fit, with Dalton and Hoskins. I like what I’m seeing.”