OPINION
Scott Robertson will finally get a chance to test his mettle on the international stage when his men in black meet an England side hungry to cause an upset this Saturday in Dunedin.
After an impossibly long bedding-in period, the coach who has tasted overwhelming success with the Crusaders, will find out if the proving ground of Super Rugby is an effective barometer for success at the international level.
In announcing his first squad of the season, Robertson generated consternation from local fans who felt players like game-breaker Hoskins Sotutu and hooker Ricky Riccitelli should have made the cut after The Blues’ championship-winning season.
Sotutu’s omission created huge social media division, and in answering reporters’ questions the All Black camp reinforced their decision with cherry-picked statistics that alluded to a poor off-the-ball work rate coupled with a perceived inability to play any positions other than last man down.
But the snub still seemed personal.
Virtually unknown at the start of the season, Wallace Sititi effectively leapfrogged the Blues number 8 after forcing the selector’s hand with some eye-catching displays.
On paper, the squad has the predicted mix of youth and experience. However, questions remain over the durability of the locks who inexplicably number only three- confusing given the number of outside backs picked.
The inclusion of the aging TJ Perenara is a step backward and the ascension to the black jersey of George Bell- a hooker who can’t throw straight- seems premature.
Lying in wait is an England side who have slipped into the country almost unannounced after thrashing Japan in Tokyo.
While England are in a rebuilding phase, they recently toppled Ireland in the Six Nations and almost tipped eventual World Cup winners South Africa out of the 2023 edition.
Arriving sans fly-half George Ford, coach Steve Borthwick still has at his disposal the exciting pair of Marcus Smith and Fin Smith who are more than capable of prying open holes in the All Blacks defence.
Winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is earmarked for bigger things, and in the forwards experienced campaigners Mario Itoje, Dan Cole and the dynamic Sam Underhill are veterans from the side that outplayed the Ab’s in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.
Saturday could prove the start of a sparkling dynasty for Robertson or a cursory reminder that things aren’t easy when you hold the country’s second-most important job.
Either way, we are unlikely to see any breakdancing for a while yet.
