Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau scores a try against the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The Joseph factor<\/p>\n
Tangitau\u2019s case would be especially helped if Jamie Joseph, as everyone now expects, is named All Blacks coach<\/a>. There could be more: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens had a fine season last year and played skilfully well against the Crusaders; he has Ruben Love ahead of him right now but the latter is injured.<\/p>\n Tavatavanawai\u2019s midfield charge<\/p>\n Timoci Tavatavanawai stood out in the Highlanders\u2019 win over the Crusaders. His turnovers are hugely valuable and could add to the All Blacks\u2019 arsenal. But does he have the pace and distribution skills for the next level up and who of Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor and Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku might he oust? The latter had an unusually quiet match against the Highlanders and was perceived as a midfielder by the last All Blacks management team. Will Joseph feel the same way?<\/p>\n Bench battles<\/p>\n The tactic of having the heavy mobs on the bench and letting them loose in the second half was only half successful. Three current front row All Blacks in Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell and George Bower didn\u2019t have the impact of opposites Ethan de Groot (tackled everything) and Angus Ta\u2019avao (debut try), who were also injected from the waiting room.<\/p>\n Hotham v Ratima<\/p>\n The battle for halfback back-up to Cam Roigard commenced in earnest. The Crusaders\u2019 Noah Hotham showed his sniper\u2019s eye with a well-taken halfback\u2019s try while Cortez Ratima demonstrated his excellent support play, scoring the winning try against the Blues. Hotham\u2019s variation running round the rucks and mauls wins out for me so far but this will be a season-long tussle.<\/p>\n Throwing concern<\/p>\n The riddle of Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho continues, as does the battle for the hooker spots in the national team. Codie Taylor is a potential All Blacks captain this year and Taukei\u2019aho seems ideal off the bench, his drive in general play and try-scoring ability displayed against the Blues \u2013 big benefits for the All Blacks. However, he still has lineout throwing wobbles and that can turn a game in the dying stages. Surely, coaching can cure that. Asafo Aumua has also yet to show his credentials, though he has been gunning it for the Hurricanes pre-season. <\/p>\n Blues battle<\/p>\n The Blues failed to put away a much-weakened Chiefs side<\/a> but, in truth, did little wrong in the round\u2019s tightest game, with few line breaks. The difference? Tupou Vaa\u2019i scored a try<\/a> and won a threatening Blues lineout to shut the game down.<\/p>\n Average Aussies<\/p>\n The Australian sides, except for the Brumbies, looked off the pace, especially the Reds who had many influential players crocked; their creativity suffered. The Force surprisingly crumbled when the Brumbies changed gear in the second half while the Waratahs benefited from the return of athletic No 8 Charlie Cale and a more aggressive display from big lock Miles Amatosero.<\/p>\n Max-imum ability<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Waratahs and Wallaby wing Max Jorgensen, still only 21, showed last year\u2019s ascension to world-class was no fluke; his first try against the Reds was that of a quality finisher.<\/p>\n Top Tupou<\/p>\n Talking of quality, Vaa\u2019i\u2019s display was the best all-round individual performance of the round. The big Chiefs lock is highly mobile and skilled with ball in hand \u2013 and it is hard to forget he only gained his chance from the last All Blacks\u2019 conservative selection regime because of injury. He could become one of the greats \u2013 and stands already as an example of the benefits of giving youth its head.<\/p>\n Miracle indeed<\/p>\n Chiefs man Vaa\u2019i heads off Moana Pasifika skipper Miracle Fai\u2019ilagi whose three tries against the Drua underlined the progress he has made. If Fai\u2019ilagi had thrown his hat in the All Blacks\u2019 ring, who\u2019s to say he would not be the incumbent No 6 right now?<\/p>\n New rules rule<\/p>\nChiefs lock Tupou Vaa’i celebrates after scoring against the Blues, at Eden Park. Photo \/ SmartFrame<\/p>\n