Former All Black Murray Mexted believes that Scott Robertson can select a ‘strong team’ without Rieko Ioane in the centres.
Ioane made the switch to the centres having started his career on the wing, but Mexted is not convinced that the 28-year-old is the ideal fit for the All Blacks midfield.
With Mark Tele’a confirming his departure to Japan at the end of the season, the former back-rower thinks that Ioane should return to the wing as Billy Proctor continues to press for a more regular role in the squad.
Mark Tele’a’s departure
While many believe that Tele’a’s departure from New Zealand shores is a massive blow for the men in black, Mexted disagrees as he feels that there are plenty of players capable of filling his void.
“Why is he going, though? He is one of the six best wingers we have got, but look at those six wingers, would you play him ahead of five of them the answer is no, you wouldn’t,” the ex-All Black told the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin.
“If you want to be analytical, he’s weak on defence in my view, nobody makes an All Blacks team by right, you’ve got to actually perform, you got to do the business, and is he doing the business week out? Not sure, I don’t think so.
“[Him leaving] is not the end of the world. We have plenty of players to take his place.”
Tele’a jostled with Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan for starting roles under Robertson in 2024 with Emoni Narawa also earning an appearance out wide.
His departure raises the question of who should make up the outside backs and Mexted would start Will Jordan at full-back with Caleb Clarke on one wing.
Ex-All Blacks forward reveals how Rieko Ioane can silence Johnny Sexton noise at Leinster
Proctor over Ioane in the centres
While Reece is one of his possible selections on the other wing, Mexted would shift Ioane back to his former position out wide as he does not have the instincts of a centre.
“I’d play Rieko Ioane there [on the wing] to be frank,” he said.
“Sevu Reece is a finisher too, and you have got to play finishers, that’s their core role to score tries.”
He added: “You’ve just got to look at the results, how many wingers outside of him score tries, and it is not enough in my view.
“I don’t think he’s the Bruce Robertson, Conrad Smith sort of ideal centre who’s creative, when it’s on he slices through and scores a try himself or pops it to the guy outside.”
The player Mexted would turn to fill the void created by Ioane’s shift to the midfield would be Hurricanes star Proctor, who was involved with the All Blacks squad all of last year but earned just two caps.
“The other guy that’s come back that no one seems to be talking about is Billy Proctor,” Mexted continued.
“He has been the heir apparent centre for a couple of years now, and he is a great centre he reminds me a little bit of Conrad Smith, but he’s quicker actually than Conrad, and I reckon he’s pushing hard for that centre position.
“Even though he’s only played one game since he’s back from injury but he’ll play a few more and with Jordie inside him, it’s looking like a strong team.”
READ MORE: Ex-Ireland international predicts a positional switch for ‘big personality’ Rieko Ioane at Leinster
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-blacks-great-believes-heir-apparent-is-pushing-rieko-ioane-hard-for-centre-role-with-conrad-smith-esque-style
