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'Might be a better 13': All Blacks' new centre gem uncovered against Fiji
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks had six new debutants against Fiji but just one new starter in centre Billy Proctor, who wore the No 13 jersey for the first time.
The 25-year-old had a memorable night, producing multiple line breaks, creating two tries and scoring one on debut in stellar performance.
His showing was so impressive that many believe he "might be better" than incumbent centre Rieko Ioane.
Since 2022, Ioane has been the first choice No 13 taking over from the experienced pair Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.
Proctor's ability to free up the wingers with brilliant distribution caught the eye of many All Blacks fans.
One wrote that the All Blacks have missed "physicality and distribution at centre" while another said that Proctor is the "best 13 since Goodhue".
10/10 - Billy Proctor
How about that for a debut. The best 13 I've seen for the All Blacks since Goodhue. His passing is so far clear of any other 13 in NZ and this changing the dynamic of our backline entirely. Made 95 metres, 7 tackles and 11 carries. And a debut test try.— BenM (@benmsports) July 20, 2024
Proctor was the first midfielder debutant to wear the No 13 jersey in his first Test since his brother Matt in 2018, while they became the 28th set of brothers to wear the black jersey.
The centre logged 96 run metres with four line breaks, eight defenders beaten, two try assists and one try which some believe might create a "genuine conundrum" for the All Blacks coaches.
Proctor described his debut as "surreal" on a special night in unique circumstances playing in the United States, a different experience to what most debutants have.
"Yeah it was pretty surreal. I guess it's still settling in that, you know, just becoming an All Black," he told media after his debut.
"I guess That's every kiwi rugby players dream. It was an awesome occasion, cool stadium, you know, 30,000-odd there, fireworks, music.
As for work-ons after an almost perfect night, Proctor said he would have to come up with a better try celebration for next time.
"I got nothing up my sleeve i need to work on that I think, I got nothing," he laughed.
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Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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