It might be something of a long shot but you wonder if room will be made in the 36-man All Blacks Rugby Championship squad for Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker today.
If the selectors exercise their full quota of 36 players for the Rugby Championship squad, there will be room for three more players than the squad for the series against France – as well as replacements for the five injured out of the two tests in Argentina and possibly the entire championship.
The Pumas at home are a tough assignment, and with two home tests against the Springboks to follow, experimentation might be at a minimum.
However – and this is where Parker may come in – there are still unanswered questions around the player or players best suited for the blindside flanker role. Tupou Vaa’i performed well after being shifted there from lock and it’s a safe bet he will appear there against the Boks.
However, the selectors could be interested in increasing their options at No 6 after Parker was injured at the wrong moment ahead of the French series, following a good Super Rugby campaign. At 1.97m and 117kg, he could be the raw-boned blindside loosie and lineout option the All Blacks have been searching for – and add to the depth being built.
The question of who will come into the squad is blurred somewhat by the fact so many were injured and replaced during the French series.
More than 33 were required, with prop George Bower, loose forwards Christian Lio-Willie and Dalton Papali’i, plus wing Emoni Narawa pressed into service.
Injured out of Argentina and possibly longer are halfback Cam Roigard, tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax, loosie Luke Jacobson, halfback Noah Hotham and wing Caleb Clarke. Bower should remain Lomax’s replacement and it seems likely the Hurricanes’ Peter Lakai will come in for Jacobson.
The replacements for Roigard, Hotham and Clarke will be intriguing, particularly at halfback.
It’s a shame Hotham was injured, as he was putting together a good case to become No 2 halfback to Roigard – his mazy running style ideal off the bench for the All Blacks’ high-octane approach. It’s likely the selectors will plump for the international experience of the Blues’ Finlay Christie, even though he is said to be off to Britain – rather than blooding new players such as Xavier Roe and Kyle Preston or recalling Folau Fakatava. Preston has a chance – he has a good kicking and support game.
So assuming the four casualties will be replaced, there’s still room for three more players. Parker could be one, a lock another, perhaps as a preliminary to captain Scott Barrett’s sabbatical next year and a response to his recent calf tear and battering taken by his 81-test body.
Barrett is expected to be available for the first test against the Pumas but could be rested in the second.
Josh Lord could come back into the squad, hopefully for an extended period without injuries affecting his progress. Sam Darry was on the bench for Canterbury’s 33-15 win in Wellington yesterday, though might need more rugby to be considered.
Meanwhile, the unlucky Clarke’s spot on the wing may go to Narawa – though the panel haven’t yet seemed totally convinced of his worth; his place may depend on whether the brains trust want to give Rieko Ioane another chance at wing. He and Sevu Reece ended up the two specialist wings in the previous squad – which looked a little imbalanced out wide.
Clarke didn’t play, Will Jordan was preferred at fullback (correctly), there remain doubts about Reece at top level and Ioane hasn’t yet shone in his old position. The All Blacks have ample cover for fullback but not many fast, finishing wings also able to deal with the high ball.
Even if Reece is retained, the selectors may feel the need to trial contenders at wing. If he’d played much top rugby lately, Caleb Tangitau would be a prospect, but it may be that Chiefs wing Leroy Carter is of interest. He is due to play for Bay of Plenty today – but as a centre.
That aside, the prospect of new All Blacks seems muted, though it must be said that much of the new blood brought in for the French series was successful. Hooker Brodie McAlister, prop Ollie Norris and fullback Ruben Love earned decent pass marks, while new lock Fabian Holland achieved the biggest of ticks.
Lakai’s return to the squad may also obviate the need for Christian Lio-Willie – who played well enough against the French without necessarily claiming a permanent spot. That may open the door wider for Parker, as No 8 is well covered, with Wallace Sititi returning and Lakai also competent there (plus Ardie Savea, if needed).
Interestingly, Parker packed down at No 8 last night for Northland in their Ranfurly Shield challenge in Taranaki – another strong string to his bow.
Chiefs colleague Samipeni Finau has not yet totally convinced at All Blacks level, though his last outing was his best so far. Parker’s arrival could give the Waikato franchise three blindside flankers in the same squad – surely something of a record, if it happens that way.