2019 Rugby Championship

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has lifted the handbrake on the idea of Scott Barrett being selected as a specialist No 6 for the World Cup.

Public debate as to whether lock Barrett, who switched to the side of the scrum during the Crusaders' loss to the Chiefs in Suva on Saturday night, would better serve his country as a blindside flanker continues to gain heat ahead of the global tournament in Japan.

Hansen remains unconvinced. He's well aware of those conversations, but says the All Blacks selectors are unlikely to be swayed from the view that Barrett is first and foremost a lock.

Barrett, who has made appearances on the blindside against England and South Africa in recent seasons, would be a popular choice if the selectors elected to start there in the Rugby Championship.

But it seems that isn't likely to happen. Hansen still believes he's best suited to grafting away in the dark pit of the scrum.

"I think so, yeah," Hansen said. "That's where we believe his career is. Against those big sides, where you don't have hard and fast speedy games, he can definitely play there (at No 6).

"The game in Twickenham (against England) he was outstanding and the game in North Harbour (against South Africa), which was a faster game but against a big pack he was outstanding.

"Would you want to play him there if you were playing someone who had two sevens playing? Not sure. They are good conundrums we have got to solve."

In 2015 the All Blacks named just three specialist locks - Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano - in their World Cup squad.

If the selectors follow that template, Whitelock, Retallick and Barrett are expected to be invited to go to to Japan. If they take four, Patrick Tuipulotu will be among the front runners to fill the final vacancy.

Hansen said Barrett can still cover lock and No 6, even if the selectors want just three second rowers: "He can still be a swingman, even if you take three (locks). That is one of the key things we have to sort out; whether we take four or we take three."

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The return of openside flanker Sam Cane, who was outstanding in the 40-27 win over the Crusaders and has clearly made a full recovery from his broken neck, has been welcomed by the selectors.

So, too, has the form of Ardie Savea for the Hurricanes. Does putting them on the park as dual flankers appeal to Hansen? No way.

However, he said there was a chance Savea could pack down at No 8 while Cane remained on the openside.

"There's no chance of Sammy and Ardie playing six and seven, no. There might be a chance for them to play seven and eight."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/113196931/rugby-world-cup-all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-locks-scott-barrett-into-engine-room

Stargazer

Photos from the SI camp:

taniwharugby

So that's a no to Sam/Ardie 6/7 but there is a chance they sub the captain off to play Sam/Ardie 7/8...???

Seems a bit silly to rule it out like that.

Duluth

@taniwharugby said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

So that's a no to Sam/Ardie 6/7 but there is a chance they sub the captain off to play Sam/Ardie 7/8...???

Or maybe they are open to playing Read at 6?

During games they have packed scrums with Ardie at 8 with Read at 6

Stargazer

More photos:

Bones

@taniwharugby said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

So that's a no to Sam/Ardie 6/7 but there is a chance they sub the captain off to play Sam/Ardie 7/8...???

Seems a bit silly to rule it out like that.

Or they will just play them at 6/7 and they're just foxing a bit.

ACT Crusader

I don’t think it really matters what positions they are at when it comes to closing the game out. We know both Read and Ardie can handle the back of the scrum at test level and that’s probably the most important issue.

If only Hansen saw the light and had Ardie as the midfield reserve we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

taniwharugby

I agree it doesnt matter greatly, just find it odd they would say they wont play 6/7 (not sure we'd see Read/Cane/Savea at 6/7/8 either)

IMO running Cane at 6 potentially solves one of the biggest issues we have in our 15.

MN5

I think Cane is even taller than Ardie too, potential lineout problems solved then and there.

Chris B.

Makes perfect sense if you're not too rigid in your thinking.

Five loose forwards in the squad, with Scott Barrett providing some cover for 6 from the bench.

In the big games - 6. e.g. Squire; 7. Cane; 8. Read; 20. Ardie. Plus e.g. Frizell.
For the last 20 minutes it's quite possible that we will see Cane move to blindside and Ardie at openside.

In the less big games: 6. Frizell; 7. Cane; 8. Ardie; 20. Squire
AND/OR 6. Frizell; 7. Ardie; 8. Squire; 20. Cane

What we won't see in the big games is Sam Cane starting at 6 with Ardie playing 7. We need a big munter in 6 who can dominate forward collisions and provide lineout height, plus Sam at 7 who is pretty big and dominant for a 7 - like McCaw.

Think Kaino - a big and tall 6; McCaw a big 7; and Read a tall 8.

Canes4life

@MN5 Ardie's much taller.

Stargazer

@Canes4life Yes, metres taller!

The Silver Fern

2019 Rugby Championship