All Blacks hero Stephen Donald believes that there is scope for Scott Robertson to go with a Springboks-esque 7-1 split this year.
One of the current trends in rugby has seen teams going with forward-heavy benches, which was started by South Africa in their 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph.
It has since been adopted by many sides at international level, including France, who are the only other country to try out the 7-1.
New Zealand have yet to go in the same direction, with the All Blacks tending to prefer the traditional 5-3, but head coach Robertson is weighing up whether to change tack.
An All Blacks ‘Bomb Squad’?
“I think you look at it, statistically, how powerful it is, 6-2s. 7-1s have been successful as well. It depends on your squad and your team early on,” Robertson told Sport Nation‘s Scotty and Izzy show during the week.
“Early on (in 2024), when we had a number of those injuries, we had a really young, inexperienced bench in those first five, six Tests, and then we got a few of those players back.
“You look at the balance of those 6-2s, having two loose forwards and a lock, plus explosive front-rowers that come on and change the game. How and when do you put them on?
“You look at all of those facets that have been successful in the past, and then you also go to the risk factors as well, and particularly in the backs, someone’s potentially going to be playing out of position for a long time. So, there is a risk factor to it.
“But, also, was it mitigated by turning the game around with 30 minutes to go? Can you put a whole new forward pack on? Who you’re playing, where you’re playing, they’re all critical questions. And the depth of your squad, your experience of the players that are coming on.”
A 6-2 feels more likely than a 7-1 but, should Robertson want to follow the example set by the Springboks and France, Donald has worked out a plan to make it work.
On The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav, the 2011 World Cup winner was asked by a listener about Ardie Savea and whether his vast skill set could facilitate a ‘Bomb Squad’.
The former fly-half was not convinced at first but Donald then had a suggestion for the head coach, even if his tongue appeared slightly in his cheek.
Donald’s 7-1 idea
It would require a bolter being whisked straight into the 23 but, given the form of Chiefs wing Leroy Carter, who started his career at scrum-half, it is not out of the question.
“When I first saw that, I thought ‘no way’, but now, maybe you’re onto something because if he’s (Savea) got the midfield covered… bear with me here, I’m going to draw a real long bow,” Donald said.
“Leroy Carter, he’s probably not on everyone’s lips as being an All Black bolter, but could he be the specialist All Black reserve bench man because he’s got wing and half-back covered.
“If you’ve got Ardie that has potentially got the midfield covered then we only need a 10 cover and of course if we’ve got Beaudy (Beauden Barrett) and Damian [McKenzie] starting, or Ruben Love and a Beaudy, they can all cover 15 – it’s the only position left.
“We’re going 7-1, we’ve done a real massive U-turn and it’s because of the explosion of Leroy Carter.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/stephen-donald-how-the-all-blacks-could-go-with-the-7-1-split-after-scott-robertsons-bomb-squad-comments
