In the final days before the All Blacks name their Steinlager Series squad, commentator Ken Laban has weighed in on the major selection talking points.
While several positions within the squad seem set in stone, others have been subject to plenty of debate in the weeks building up to coach Ian Foster’s decision.
Despite heavy competition for all positions, Laban feels that the overall combination of players is more important than individual inclusions or exclusions, especially if the coach’s goal is to “reverse” the side’s middling 2021 form.
“For me, every time I mention the All Blacks all I can think about is what happened against Ireland and France,” Laban said on SENZ Mornings.
“So, for me, the big talking point … not necessarily being who’s in or who’s out, it’s going to be is this a team that can reverse a poor result from the end of season tour last year.
“I think we won’t know that until Monday will we.”
While Laban is looking forward to assessing the overall structure of the named squad come Monday afternoon, the competition at loose forward has also caught his attention.
Sam Cane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea and Ethan Blackadder all seemed in contention for the starting position, however injury to Papalii and Blackadder has narrowed the contention pool.
Cane is the current captain of the national side but many believed Papalii would knock him from the starting 15 prior to injury.
“Dalton Papalii was really going to challenge for that 7 jersey, and we were really looking forward to seeing how that all unfolded,” Laban continued.
“Ethan Blackadder … what were they going to do with Ethan? What were we going to do with Ardie? What were we going to do with Sam Cane?
“It’s like a little soap opera on the side that we like looking at, and the fact that they were all competitive and all in form, it just meant that it would drive them all to the next level.
“I feel for Dalton, he’s been such an important part of the Blues … his captaincy and his leadership. (He’s a) big loss, not only for the Blues but for the All Blacks.”
Reports suggest Papalii will miss the remaining finals of Super Rugby Pacific and is unlikely to take part in the upcoming Steinlager Series with the All Blacks.
The squad is set to be announced on Monday, where Foster will give his address at 12:00pm NZT.