Slade has the inside running for starting berth
TOBY ROBSON
Colin Slade is the logical choice to take the suddenly treacherous role of All Blacks first five-eighth against the Wallabies on Saturday.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen spoke yesterday of the equal confidence he had in the two men he'd called up to cover injuries to Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett.
Slade and his Canterbury teammate Tom Taylor are the two men vying for the pivotal role during the Bledisloe Cup rematch in Wellington on Saturday.
There are legitimate arguments for both. Taylor is the better goal kicker at 90 per cent this season for the Crusaders compared to Slade's 68 per cent for the Highlanders.
Taylor's call up to the end of year tour last year and presence at the All Blacks wider training groups earlier this season both suggest he has favour around the selection table.
However, starting at 10 against Australia would be a big ask considering he has played the position just once this year, in a friendly match against the Hurricanes in Levin.
Taylor started seven of the Crusaders matches at second five-eighth and three at fullback.
Slade wore No 10 on his back for the majority of the Highlanders season and notably has an established combination with All Black halfback Aaron Smith.
In matches against the Hurricanes and Rebels late in Super Rugby Slade finally began to look like the player who gained 10 test caps in 2010 and 2011.
Furthermore, Taylor may be a better fit on the reserves where his ability to cover 10, 12 and 15 could open the door for original selection Charles Piutau to come back in for late call up Ryan Crotty.
Whoever gets the nod, the quality of Slade and Taylor's respective credentials is perhaps most remarkable because they are the All Blacks fourth and fifth choice No 10s.
Cruden (knee) is out for 2-6 weeks, Barrett (calf) until the test against Argentina on September 7, the same likely return date for first choice Dan Carter (calf).
Hansen won't be thrilled at the turn of events, but was taking satisfaction yesterday that thorough planning had softened several unforseen blows in recent weeks.
Taylor had slipped in seamlessly after attending training camps during Super Rugby as had loose forwards Brad Shields and Luke Whitelock.
And the decision to carry three wider training group players was also paying off with lock Jeremy Thrush set to come back into the 23 for Luke Romano, who is out for the remainder of the Rugby Championship with a groin injury.
Hansen was adamant the changes at first five-eighth had caused minimal disruption on or off the training field.
"We did exactly the same training run as we did last Tuesday. Same drills and skills because that's the skill-set we are working on.
"We might have introduced a couple of new plays and lineout options, but its just the same. You get on the horse and go as hard as you can."
And Hansen said whoever ended up steering the side from first five-eighth, would not have any issues asserting themselves.
"If the team room needs cleaning then the 101 test guy can clean it just as well as the zero test guy," he said. "That culture and environment makes it easy for guys to come into because they know where they stand.
"They just have to get on and do their job. Both of them will only have one role and that's to play 10."
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have one injury concern of their own with blindside Hugh McMeniman to undergo a shoulder reconstruction following the Wallabies 47-29 loss in Sydney. Australia will not be calling another player into the squad.
- © Fairfax NZ News
