Murray Mexted is sounding the alarm that a significant revamp is on the horizon for the All Blacks as they wrap up their tour in Argentina, with coach Scott Robertson seemingly poised to swing the axe on underperforming talent. This comes especially for the crowded pool of loose forwards, where tough decisions are imminent.
In what could spell the end for some, Robertson has named Tupou Vaa’i, Du’Plessis Kirifi, and Ardie Savea as his starting loose forwards for the upcoming clash in Cordoba, leaving a surplus of talent like Simon Parker, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi, and the injured Luke Jacobson sidelined. The All Blacks coach is expected to shuffle his pack for the following test, possibly giving game time to Sititi ahead of crucial matches against the Springboks.
Mexted, a former All Blacks No. 8, shared his insights, indicating the fierce competition within the team.
"There are three openside flankers really – Lakai is not going to figure as an eight or a six. This is international rugby, this is the real deal, so the only place he’s got, and it’s the same with Kirifi, is openside flanker,"
he explained during an interview with DSPN's Martin Devlin. He further predicted,"After this tour, there will only be two."
Mexted suggested that it’s a binary choice on who stays and who goes, underscoring the cutthroat nature of international rugby selections.On the subject of other positions, Mexted didn't hold back, noting the redundancy in the roles played by Sititi and Jacobson, both of whom lack a distinct advantage as ball winners. The conversation also touched on the blindside flanker role, where Vaa’i has made a strong case for himself. Mexted enthused about the upcoming games, saying,
"It’s going to be great, I can’t wait."
While last season's results were mixed for Robertson, Mexted acknowledged the improvement seen during the recent series against France, suggesting that these upcoming tests could be pivotal. "This year, they look like they’re on the right track," Mexted noted, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming games in Argentina and the pressing need for the All Blacks to assert their dominance on the global stage once more.