Cohesion
Changes are expected, but the All Blacks will be intent on retaining some first-week combinations as they seek to improve their clinical finishing and significantly tighten their defence.
While the attack, ruck speed and bodies in motion signalled a notable shift, skill execution must improve to convert pressure and line breaks into points.
It would make sense, therefore, to retain some focal figures.
Ruben Love deserves another crack at No 10 to continue growing his game.
Love’s maiden test start at first five-eighths offered encouragement as he overcame an early yellow card to display confidence challenging the line. He needs more time with the keys, though. There’s no point hindering his progress by changing tack.
Ruben Love (from left), Fehi Fineanganofo, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi and Anton Segner will all be in the thinking of the All Blacks selectors. Photos / Photosport, SmartFrame
Crusaders halfback Kyle Preston could come on to the bench, with his impact suited to lifting the pace and tempo, but maintaining the Love-Cam Roigard axis would further enhance their combination.
Sam Darry’s standout performance in the inexperienced locking department is also likely to be rewarded with a repeat start. Ditto for Luke Jacobson in the loose forwards, which Rennie stated was the most difficult area to select last week.
More rookies?
Xavier Numia, Fehi Fineanganofo and Jamie Hannah debuted off the bench against France with the contest still in the balance. Numia in particular impressed with solid scrummaging while his mobile, dynamic carrying and soft ball skills present a point of difference.
This week, it could be Anton Segner and Josh Moorby’s turn to taste test footy for the first time. Both were picked on the back of compelling Super Rugby Pacific form and need a chance to prove their readiness.
All Blacks winger Fehi Fineanganofo would be an exciting addition to the starting line-up for this weekend’s test against Italy. Photo / Photosport
Moorby could be handed the right wing role or come on to the bench, with Fineanganofo potentially handed his first start in a black jersey in a reshaped back three that could, potentially, feature Will Jordan returning to fullback.
Rennie has made it clear he views the loose forward trio as interchangeable, which could pave the way for Segner’s introduction and Numia may be rewarded with promotion to start at loosehead prop.
Loose forward mix
The big question is whether Italy offers the ideal opportunity to rest Ardie Savea. The newly installed All Blacks captain has shouldered a heavy workload in the past 18 months and could benefit from a spell before returning for Ireland at Eden Park.
Wallace Sititi – after returning from his confronting concussion off the bench last week – could slot in at No 8, with Jacobson retaining the openside jersey after impressing there last week. Segner is primed to debut, possibly in a starting capacity from blindside flanker, with Simon Parker to potentially emerge from the bench after sitting out last week.
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea (left) shares advice with new recruit Anton Segner. Photo / SmartFrame
Midfield
Billy Proctor struggled to carry his Super form to the test scene during Scott Robertson’s two-year tenure but his classy distribution could flourish in the Rennie era.
Defensively, Proctor is a superb organiser and reader of the opposition. And on attack, there is no better centre in New Zealand at feeding his outsides. Just ask Hurricanes wingers Fineanganofo and Moorby, who finished with a record 17 tries each this season.
After injecting impact off the bench last week, Proctor is ready for promotion to start at centre alongside either Quinn Tupaea or Jordie Barrett.
Tupaea, Super Rugby Pacific’s Player of the Year, and Hurricanes co-captain Barrett have both carried heavy loads this season.
Unused brigade
Experienced heads Patrick Tuipulotu, who is expected to return from a minor calf strain that ruled him out late last week, Anton Lienert-Brown and Beauden Barrett will be pushing hard for a chance to impress the new All Blacks coaching crew. Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi, provided he recovers from injury, will also be itching for inclusion.
Possible All Blacks team:
Xavier Numia, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Anton Segner, Luke Jacobson, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Fehi Fineanganofo, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan
Bench: Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Simon Parker, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.