Frank Bunce’s verdict on the All Blacks centres and how they compare to standard-setting Springboks pair

Great All Blacks centre Frank Bunce has praised the current midfield duo insisting that they are not far away from experienced Springboks pair Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.

New Zealand have struggled to create a consistently effective centre partnership since the international retirements of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane briefly shone before and during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but the latter’s decline in performance left the former without a partner.

Billy Proctor was tried at 13 before Quinn Tupaea was handed an opportunity towards the end of Scott Robertson’s tenure.

Have the All Blacks