It is the development of young and brilliant player that are the reason Steve Hansen and his assistant coaches have riches to pick every year. Photo / Brett Phibbs
It is the development of young and brilliant player that are the reason Steve Hansen and his assistant coaches have riches to pick every year. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The All Black selectors have an enviable task picking an All Black team from the riches at their disposal. The squad they have named to face the Lions looks the best since, well, last year.
Just about every year in the Henry-Hansen era the All Blacks have taken their gameto a higher plane. This year's squad includes new names will add to the teams lustre, at least in the backs.
Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Ngani Laumape may not be in the starting XV for the first test or on the bench, but they have shown their brilliance in Super Rugby and each has been give the chance to train in the All Black environment and adapt their skills to the demands of test rugby.
It is the development of players like them that are the reason Steve Hansen and his assistant coaches have riches to pick every year.
Five years ago Beauden Barrett was at the stage his younger brother, Jordie, has reached now. When he got games off the bench, usually at full back, he showed he could break games apart with blistering pace and an uncanny ability to run onto a bouncing ball.
He was so good off the bench he was at risk of specialising there - until last year's Super Rugby play-offs. At first five for the Hurricanes, he showed he was a pin-point punter too, controlling a succession of matches that took the Hurricanes to the title and gave Barrett his chance at that pivotal role in the All Blacks.
He took that chance so well he is a certainty to start test matches. His lookalike brother Jordie looks to be on a similar trajectory.
Throughout the team, the rewards of careful development are apparent. This is the year that Sonny Bill Williams should finally establish himself at second five. Outside him, Ryan Crotty has shown Hansen he is a tidy centre in the Conrad Smith mould. Last year's midfield "find", Anton Lienert Brown, can cover both positions from the bench.
If further evidence was needed of the depth of Hansen's talent poll, look at the Maori All Black squad to meet the Lions. With players like Damian McKenzie, James Lowe, Matt Proctor and Nehe Milner Skudder in reserve, other international coaches must weep.
But they know it is not Hansen's good fortune, it is far-sighted selections and management of his players. Under him the All Blacks are a perpetual revelation.
