Once again the All Blacks have a tricky midfield puzzle to solve with the selectors having to decide whether to pick Anton Lienert‑Brown, Seta Tamanivalu or Rieko Ioane to start against Australia this week.
The certainty is that Malakai Fekitoa is going to start, but the question is who will partner him?
Fekitoa’s versatility means that he can stay at centre and play with Lienert‑Brown at second‑five, or he can shift to No 12 and give Tamanivalu the No. 13 jersey.
Lienert‑Brown had a strong Super Rugby campaign with the Chiefs and looks well set up to play a direct and simple role of getting over the gainline and making his tackles.
Tamanivalu is a physical beast when he carries the ball, but looked a little daunted by the complexity of his defensive role when he won his two caps against Wales in June.
There is the option of introducing the 19‑year‑old Reiko Ioane at centre, but for all his obvious talents, it would be a surprise if they were willing to throw him into action so soon.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has shown he’s an astute judge of when and how to introduce younger, inexperienced players into test football.
The All Blacks will host the Wallabies at 7.35pm Saturday in Wellington.
Source: New Zealand Herald
