It’s that time again, All Blacks selection time! The first match of the Rugby Championship for the New eland men is on the road in Argentina, against Los Pumas in Córdoba.
Heading into any ABs test, everyone suddenly becomes a selector, a tactician, a self-proclaimed rugby savant with their perfect XV locked and loaded. And look, I’m no different. I’ve got three blokes I want to see start on Sunday morning, and three others who - I believe - need to come off the bench.
Let’s start with Beauden Barrett, I want Beaudy in the 10 jumper. Test rugby demands structure, tempo, and experience at first-five - a steady head and reliable pair of hands to control a match. Damian McKenzie? He’s brilliant, electric, game-breaking - but not for 80 minutes as the chief conductor.
We’ve seen this before. His strength isn’t in controlling a game from the outset - it’s in creating chaos when the opposition is tiring. Bring him off the bench with 30 to go, when defences are dragging, and then let him cook. That’s where he’s at his devastating best.
I want Billy Proctor to start at centre. And no, he hasn’t nailed the jersey yet, but coaches and selectors have finally admitted something that I feel has been the case for years - Rieko Ioane isn't an international centre.
50-plus tests trying to prove otherwise and still no clarity? Move on. Rieko back on the wing is the right move - where he can finish, not distribute. And Proctor? He’s a real midfielder. He thinks like a centre, defends like one, and has the patience to grow into the role. He hasn't been perfect in the black jumper, but he deserves time to mould into the role as far as I'm concerned. We won’t get that if we chop and change every second week. It’s time to back someone.
With both Wallace Sititi and Luke Jacobson unavailable, Peter Lakai starts at number eight for me. He was immense against France last year - physical, mobile, and can cover all three loose forward roles. The kind of player you want starting, not waiting.
Samipeni Finau, on the other hand, hasn’t quite brought that Super Rugby form to the black jersey. The big hits, the intimidation, the presence - it’s been flashes, not full performances. He’s still a weapon, so bring him off the bench, whether it's at six or eight, to wreak some havoc in the second 40.
Catch new episodes of the Devlin Sports Podcast Network (DSPN) every weekday on rova.
