All Blacks backline no longer run by one general

James Mortimer - (7/07/2010)
As always much focus coming into the first match of the Investec Tri Nations will be on the All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter, but the backline is rapidly losing its dependency on its mercurial conductor.


So a potential South African plan to shut down Carter may only free up other threats in the All Blacks backline.

The Springboks have quite possibly the most feared strategy when it comes to countering the influence of an opposition's number ten.

They possess arguably the world’s best kicking game, although while Morne Steyn is unchallenged as probably the finest kicking playmaker on the world stage, no doubt the Springboks potency will be lessened due to the absence of Fourie du Preez, and to a lesser degree Francois Steyn.

But the South Africans pressure system, especially defensively, is largely co-ordinated to shut down their opponent’s playmaker, and Carter will spend much of the game having formidable Springbok loose forwards charging at every opportunity.

A general truism with the All Blacks has been that if you can shut down Carter, you can shut down the black machine.

But to say that Carter is the only automatic selection in the back division is no longer accurate, and to claim that without him the three quarter line is impotent is equally false.

The All Blacks will roll out one of their most experienced back lines in history against the Springboks at Eden Park, with 346 caps from nine to 15.

More to the point, the backline is rapidly beginning to feel “first choice” but is also filling with options in the selection queue.

While there is no one to directly challenge Carter or perhaps Jimmy Cowan (despite a stacked line of quality scrumhalves in NZ rugby), every position now has a secondary option that if it is not quite world class, has the potential to be so.

A great reflection though on the quality of options around Carter is how understated it is that he is quickly found his Midas touch since again donning All Black colours.

Credit must be given to the man himself, but when looking at the youthful backline Carter operated with at the Crusaders, versus the division clad in black, a saying comes to mind – form is temporary, but class is permanent, yet such class will always shine when surrounded by those of comparable caste.

Cowan and Conrad Smith as it stands are embedded as the incumbents at the base of the scrum and at centre.

Smith’s influence in particular cannot be underestimated, considering that for so long the All Blacks struggled to find an automatic selection at 13.

His form so far this campaign in two outings has been nothing short of exemplary.

Ma’a Nonu returns and Graham Henry has indicated that his inclusion in the side, despite playing only 70 minutes of club rugby, is a recognition of the fact that he is effectively the nation’s first choice second five-eighth.

Question marks will always hang over the powerful line breaker for the fact that his style is inherent to occasional mistakes, but there is no doubting his growth into the role, cementing his position not only in the black jersey, but as one of the more intimidating backs in world rugby.

The Cowan, Nonu and Smith axis at 9, 12 and 13 represents well over 100 test matches and gives the All Blacks far more spine outside the previously thought “single vertebrae” that is Carter.

The outside three quarters are more interesting.

Cory Jane, playing in his 16th test match this weekend, seems to head what appears to be a verifiable squadron of All Blacks wingers. Joe Rokocoko is seemingly in a constant fight of late to retain his position, but his 62 tests add an appeal in experience, as does the still injured 43 test veteran Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Mils Muliaina, the most experienced All Black back in history, will be watched intensely as he now faces a real fight to hold his position thanks to the startling debut of Israel Dagg, not to mention the fact that Jane is generally regarded as a specialist custodian.

Either way Carter’s importance to the team is still immense, but alone his shoulders hardly bear the burden, considering the growth of the All Blacks backline.