Chiefs and All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden have seen his Rugby World Cup hopes dashed after picking up an ACL injury in the Chiefs win over the Crusaders in round 10 of the Super Rugby, sticking him on the sidelines for up to eight months.
With Cruden out, speculation has begun as to who will take up the three places for flyhalf in the All Blacks squad that will be travelling to England later this year for the World Cup.
Naturally, many expect the names of Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Dan Carter to make their way onto the list but it is difficult to ignore the inform Highlanders flyhalf, Lima Sopoaga. All Blacks selector, Grant Fox, has revealed that he is more than willing to recognise others performing in the Super Rugby campaign and drawing attention onto themselves.
Sopoaga has four try assists to him name so far in the Super Rugby campaign, the most of any Kiwi flyhalf, and along with his 80 per cent kicking success rate off the tee, his boot and decision making are proving to be invaluable. His ability to combine well with current all Blacks Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa are only boosting his appeal.
Beauden Barrett should be a no brainer for selectors. Not only are the Hurricanes having a near picture-perfect season so far, Barrett is playing some of the best rugby of his career, remaining a pivotal part of the all-star backline that takes to the field for the Hurricanes week after week.
Barrett has often found himself playing second fiddle to Cruden, despite outshining his competition on more than one occasion and will be eager to use this opportunity to show selectors as well as All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen exactly what he can offer.
Dan Carter can never be a definite possibility due to the ever preset risk of injury that now plagues his career. There is no denying his talent as one of the best number 10s in the sport, but he is no spring chicken and the 2015 World Cup might be a push too far for him.
Colin Slade has proved himself before and continues to prove his desire and worth for selection (despite the Crusaders having a slightly disappointing Super Rugby campaign so far), standing out as one of the most consistent players in his team. However, with the contracts signed that will see him leave New Zealand after the World Cup, this might count against him.
Any selector and coach will look to invest in players, grooming them for the long run and considering Slade doesn’t have a future in New Zealand, his form may not be enough to justify his selection.
Saying that, Barrett, Slade and Carter have the experience and nerves to take on the big guns and will be the players most would hope to see take the field. As much as the desire may be there to invest in players and their development, the task of defending the trophy is now and realistically these three are your best options, as long as they stay fit and open to selection. Sopoaga will be part of the regular All Blacks in the future and this fact needs to be understood.
If Sopoaga is going to feature for the All Blacks this year however, the most logical thing for them to do is put him through his paces during the Rugby Championship. While he may not make the eventual cut, nobody knows what could happen between now and September with regards to injuries and player availability.
Offering Sopoaga the chance to play in the black jersey in the Championship will be both justifiable considering form but also offer him the valuable experience he will need should disaster strike. I know it will be a different level of pressure come the World Cup and maybe he won’t be able to take the heat against the likes of South African or Australia, but offering him the opportunity of an All Black environment will allow him to develop into the world-class flyhalf the All Blacks will be needing once Carter and Slade leave.
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