All Blacks coach Dave Rennie is sitting on a goldmine of talent for the inside centre position, with several top-notch players vying to challenge Jordie Barrett’s long-standing dominance in the 12 jersey. Among these are the Highlanders’ standout Timoci Tavatavanawai and the Chiefs’ versatile Quinn Tupaea, both of whom are making compelling cases for themselves in the Super Rugby Pacific arena.
Jordie Barrett, however, continues to be the pillar for the All Blacks, following a transformative stint at Leinster that many argue has honed his skills even further. Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav, rugby icon Stephen Donald asserted, “
‘Jordie will start under any All Blacks coach’
He’s still going like that," indicating an upward trajectory with a gesture, "I don’t think it was necessarily just because he went to Leinster. He’s not an old man so he’s naturally going to get better every year. You get smarter as you get older and as long as your body can keep up with your mind, you’re only going to get better as a rugby player.”
While Barrett’s prowess is undisputed, Tavatavanawai is fast becoming a sensation in his own right, with a playing style reminiscent of Ardie Savea’s impact at Moana Pasifika. Donald didn’t hold back in his praise, saying, “There are so many good players in that ‘Landers team but you feel like you’re watching one man when you go and watch the ‘Landers, it is remarkable. I don’t know if I’ve quite seen anyone – maybe Ardie last year with Moana – where you feel just gravitated towards watching one guy in the team because that’s how big an influence he is.”
Meanwhile, Tupaea's adaptability adds another layer to the selection puzzle. Having impressed both at 12 and as an outside centre, his skills bring a different dynamic to the team. “Quinn’s almost a hybrid of the other two,” noted Donald. “Jordie’s got the full game – the passing, the kicking, the running – and then you’ve got Tavatavanawai, who has a physical presence. When he carries, he rarely gets tackled first time, rarely loses contacts, is strong over the ball.”
With talents like Billy Proctor also in the mix, the All Blacks are not exactly short on options in the midfield. The depth and quality present a luxurious dilemma for Rennie and his coaching staff, who must balance out raw talent and strategic fit as they move forward. This depth is a testament to New Zealand Rugby's robust system, continually producing world-class talent capable of keeping the All Blacks at the pinnacle of international rugby.
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All Blacks coach Dave Rennie is sitting on a goldmine of talent for the inside centre position, with several top-notch players vying to challenge Jordie Barrett’s long-standing dominance in the 12 jersey. Among these are the Highlanders’ standout Timoci Tavatavanawai and the Chiefs’ versatile Quinn Tupaea, both of whom are making compelling cases for themselves in the Super Rugby Pacific arena.
Jordie Barrett, however, continues to be the pillar for the All Blacks, following a transformative stint at Leinster that many argue has honed his skills even further. Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav, rugby icon Stephen Donald asserted, “
‘Jordie will start under any All Blacks coach’
He’s still going like that," indicating an upward trajectory with a gesture, "I don’t think it was necessarily just because he went to Leinster. He’s not an old man so he’s naturally going to get better every year. You get smarter as you get older and as long as your body can keep up with your mind, you’re only going to get better as a rugby player.”While Barrett’s prowess is undisputed, Tavatavanawai is fast becoming a sensation in his own right, with a playing style reminiscent of Ardie Savea’s impact at Moana Pasifika. Donald didn’t hold back in his praise, saying, “There are so many good players in that ‘Landers team but you feel like you’re watching one man when you go and watch the ‘Landers, it is remarkable. I don’t know if I’ve quite seen anyone – maybe Ardie last year with Moana – where you feel just gravitated towards watching one guy in the team because that’s how big an influence he is.”
Meanwhile, Tupaea's adaptability adds another layer to the selection puzzle. Having impressed both at 12 and as an outside centre, his skills bring a different dynamic to the team. “Quinn’s almost a hybrid of the other two,” noted Donald. “Jordie’s got the full game – the passing, the kicking, the running – and then you’ve got Tavatavanawai, who has a physical presence. When he carries, he rarely gets tackled first time, rarely loses contacts, is strong over the ball.”
With talents like Billy Proctor also in the mix, the All Blacks are not exactly short on options in the midfield. The depth and quality present a luxurious dilemma for Rennie and his coaching staff, who must balance out raw talent and strategic fit as they move forward. This depth is a testament to New Zealand Rugby's robust system, continually producing world-class talent capable of keeping the All Blacks at the pinnacle of international rugby.