As the rugby season heats up, the spotlight intensifies on New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and his selection conundrum for the upcoming Nations Championship in July. Former All Blacks number eight, Murray Mexted, shares his seasoned insights, emphasizing that Super Rugby form should not be the sole criterion for national team selection—especially given the current dip in the competition's intensity. The true test, according to Mexted, lies in the players' ability to step up against formidable teams like the Springboks.
"Against the Springboks, you’ve got to nail it."
Mexted expressed his concerns on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin, noting, "Super Rugby is a bloody good level of rugby but not as strong as it was." His remarks underscore the vacuum left by the more competitive South African teams, whose physicality once elevated the tournament's standards. "Either you’ve got to be in or out against the South Africans, there’s no halfway measure. You can mix it against the Australians and sometimes, if you have an ordinary day, you can do okay, but against the Springboks, you’ve got to nail it."
The scrutiny extends to the All Blacks' back-row options. In a recent Chiefs versus Hurricanes match, Mexted pinpointed a potential imbalance in the Hurricanes' lineup, particularly concerning the size of their loose forwards, Kirifi and Lakai. "I’m a bit worried about the Hurricanes because it’s bloody hard when you’ve got two guys that aren't really big enough to play six or eight—they’re both really a seven—but they’re good rugby players," he observed. This mismatch, he argues, could be exploitable at a higher level of play, where physicality and ball control become even more critical.
However, there's a glimmer of promise in the form of uncapped players like Devan Flanders, whose presence in the Hurricanes' back-row has not gone unnoticed. "I was quite interested to see Flanders because Flanders is a ball winner and he’s 1.93m, so he’s just a little bit smaller than Boshier. That’s why I think those two guys should be considered very seriously [by Rennie]," Mexted added, highlighting their potential to compete aerially and maintain possession against tough opponents.
As Rennie rounds out his management team, drawing from insights of past successful eras, the selection decisions loom large. The blend of emerging talent and seasoned players will be crucial as the All Blacks prepare to face the rigorous challenges of the Nations Championship. The wisdom of veterans like Mexted will undoubtedly play a role in shaping a squad capable of withstanding the pressures from teams like the Springboks, where every play counts and the margin for error is minimal.
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As the rugby season heats up, the spotlight intensifies on New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and his selection conundrum for the upcoming Nations Championship in July. Former All Blacks number eight, Murray Mexted, shares his seasoned insights, emphasizing that Super Rugby form should not be the sole criterion for national team selection—especially given the current dip in the competition's intensity. The true test, according to Mexted, lies in the players' ability to step up against formidable teams like the Springboks.
"Against the Springboks, you’ve got to nail it."
Mexted expressed his concerns on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin, noting, "Super Rugby is a bloody good level of rugby but not as strong as it was." His remarks underscore the vacuum left by the more competitive South African teams, whose physicality once elevated the tournament's standards. "Either you’ve got to be in or out against the South Africans, there’s no halfway measure. You can mix it against the Australians and sometimes, if you have an ordinary day, you can do okay, but against the Springboks, you’ve got to nail it."
The scrutiny extends to the All Blacks' back-row options. In a recent Chiefs versus Hurricanes match, Mexted pinpointed a potential imbalance in the Hurricanes' lineup, particularly concerning the size of their loose forwards, Kirifi and Lakai. "I’m a bit worried about the Hurricanes because it’s bloody hard when you’ve got two guys that aren't really big enough to play six or eight—they’re both really a seven—but they’re good rugby players," he observed. This mismatch, he argues, could be exploitable at a higher level of play, where physicality and ball control become even more critical.
However, there's a glimmer of promise in the form of uncapped players like Devan Flanders, whose presence in the Hurricanes' back-row has not gone unnoticed. "I was quite interested to see Flanders because Flanders is a ball winner and he’s 1.93m, so he’s just a little bit smaller than Boshier. That’s why I think those two guys should be considered very seriously [by Rennie]," Mexted added, highlighting their potential to compete aerially and maintain possession against tough opponents.
As Rennie rounds out his management team, drawing from insights of past successful eras, the selection decisions loom large. The blend of emerging talent and seasoned players will be crucial as the All Blacks prepare to face the rigorous challenges of the Nations Championship. The wisdom of veterans like Mexted will undoubtedly play a role in shaping a squad capable of withstanding the pressures from teams like the Springboks, where every play counts and the margin for error is minimal.