Rugby: New pack of loosies step up to fill McCaw's boots

Crusader tyro Matt Todd. Photo / Getty Images

From being spooked, almost induced into a wild panic, some of New Zealand's rugby fraternity will now be unfazed by Richie McCaw's cracked foot.

In his absence, the rising talent of Matt Todd has shone brightly while the forgotten man, George Whitelock, has played like anonymity is no longer his goal.

From looking like there was no one other than the steady but underwhelming Daniel Braid to back up McCaw at the end of last year, now there are two intriguing prospects in Todd and Whitelock as well as the assured and rejuvenated Adam Thomson.

These are no longer barren times, a scenario that Graham Henry seemingly knew would prove to be the case. When quizzed at the end of last year's Grand Slam tour whether back-up to McCaw remained a concern, Henry was emphatic in his response. "No I don't think so," he said. "We have six or seven loose forwards who are capable of playing test football."

If it sounded like bravado, false confidence oozing for the sake of appearances, the honesty of his next revelation - that finding back-up to Dan Carter was a concern - alluded to Henry being genuine in his assessment of the available back-row stocks.

It's unlikely Todd was in Henry's calculations last year. McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read and Liam Messam - definitely. Victor Vito, Thomson and Braid - most probably. Whitelock - possibly.

Todd, then, is a potential problem from an All Black perspective. In assessing the candidates, so much depends on whether they can be genuinely considered a specialist openside.

The World Cup rules mean that, should McCaw be injured during the tournament and a replacement called in, the skipper can't return. There has to be two capable of playing at seven in the original 30.

Thomson can do it; has done it and the game, certainly last year, reached a point where loose forwards were judged on their generic skills - pass, run, catch, tackle - rather than the specifics. Thomson has been the best loose forward in the country so far this year in terms of his ability to carry the ball, put men down and be a major influence.

Todd is a different proposition. He is a natural seven. Ball carrying appears to be his key strength, with his work against the Waratahs hugely impressive. He's handy on the floor, too, strong over the ball and quick to react. A more detailed analysis of his effort in Nelson last week will have shown he missed three tackles as well and, while he excites, while he clearly has something about him, he's barely played at this level. And once McCaw returns - he's still on track to be fit by round seven - how much more will Todd feature?

That's the dilemma the All Black selectors face with Todd - he excites, looks dynamic, is high impact and potentially capable of going up another level. Yet, while he's been compelling so far - shown even at this fledgling stage of the season enough to now be closely followed - will the selectors be willing to blood a new cap in World Cup year?

"It's possible," said Henry when quizzed on this issue after last year's tour. He was no more committal than that, largely because there will be only four tests before the World Cup this year.

The problem is particularly acute in the case of aspiring opensides because McCaw needs to be on the field. The skipper isn't going to be rested or start on the bench during the shortened Tri Nations. So when would Todd be able to prove he can handle test football?

That's the risk - despite the promise and the obvious potential. Todd is possibly the right player at the wrong time. Those who have shown they don't melt in the test crucible, have a massive selection advantage in World Cup year.

As do those, like Braid, who have shown the professionalism and patience to be part of the set-up while knowing that game time is going to be scarce.

"It is an unenviable role in that he has the captain playing in the same position who is also the best player in the world," said assistant coach Steve Hansen last year about the back-up openside's predicament. "You are looking for someone who can mentally cope with that because it is important for the team dynamic and Daniel [Braid] certainly has the mental capacity to cope with the fact he's not playing."

Given the boxes that have to be ticked - patience and professionalism; test experience; specialist openside yet with wider generic skills - then Whitelock has the set.

Only two years ago he was being touted as McCaw's heir apparent and he's provided a timely reminder in 2011 that he is keen to assume the mantle.