Who Should Be the All Blacks Starting Back 3 for Rugby Championship?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: August 9, 2014

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There is currently a logjam in the All Blacks back three. They boast five quality options in Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau and Julian Savea. All would walk into any other international team. But the All Blacks cannot play them all. It is a good problem to have, but no one seems to be able to agree just what the best combination is. 

Savea has to be the first player to fill one of the spots. It is not that he is any better than the others, but he brings different things. While the others will beat you with speed, skill and vision, Savea can also beat you with strength and power. He is an option to come into the line to crash the ball and attract defenders. On the outside, he can finish with little room and knows how to find his way to the try line.

He will fill the left wing spot. Not only is this obviously his preferred wing, it also requires him to field less high kicks. Kicking down the left wingers side provides a more awkward angle for right-footed kickers, meaning they will tend to place their kicks down the other wing more accurately and will look to kick up this line more often.

Undoubtedly he has improved under the high ball. He is no longer a liability in this are,a and you can remain reasonably confident he will take whatever is sent in his direction. But the other options are just better in this department. Naturally they should be positioned where their skill sets will be employed better.



The second player that must be picked is Ben Smith. He has been the form outside back of Super Rugby over the past two years and deserves a place. The only question is: Where should he play?

Some will claim that Smith is a better fullback than wing. Others may point to his versatility and play him wherever he fits, depending on whether they would rather have Jane or Dagg alongside him.

The best approach should be to not look at one or the other, but to look at w...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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