As the All Blacks gear up for their upcoming tour in South Africa, head coach Dave Rennie's strategic maneuvering is drawing attention, particularly his deployment of Tupou Vaa'i in the back-row against traditional positions. This tactical shuffle, according to rugby legend Jeff Wilson, is a deliberate preparation for the formidable Springboks.
Rennie, who recently took the helm as All Blacks coach, has been experimenting with his line-up in the initial matches of his tenure. Notably, Ardie Savea has been positioned at number eight, with Luke Jacobson and Peter Lakai accompanying him in the flanks in the first game, and Wallace Sititi in the second. The versatile Tupou Vaa'i, traditionally a lock, was shifted to the loose trio during the later stages of the match against Italy, sparking discussions about his role flexibility.
Former All Black Marshall expressed some reservations about this switch. "I can understand why they would want to put him there, absolutely. It gives you some real firepower in your lineout," Marshall noted on Sky Sport NZ's Breakdown show. However, he added,
"But in my mind, he’s so world-class at lock. That’s where his energy levels are really, really good and I think he understands the mindset of where he positionally needs to be on the field at lock."
Despite acknowledging Vaa'i’s athletic prowess, Marshall feels his skills are best utilized in his usual position.Conversely, Wilson supports the strategic shift, seeing it as a specific tactic to counter South Africa's physical game.
"I think it’s just a specific tactic to take on South Africa and I like it,"
Wilson remarked, highlighting the need for a larger physical presence in the back-row when facing the Springboks. He also hinted at the possibility of exploring a 6-2 split on the bench favoring forwards, a strategy previously employed by former coaches against tough opponents.The debate extends to the role of Ardie Savea, with Marshall advocating for a more traditional number eight. "Ardie is not that. He’s a hybrid," he explained, suggesting that Wallace Sititi might better fulfill this role due to his potential impact off the scrum.
As the All Blacks refine their squad and strategies, the insights from past players like Wilson and Marshall not only illuminate the complexities of team dynamics but also highlight the thoughtful planning that goes into preparing for high-stakes matches against world-class opponents like the Springboks.