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Only one of Stevenson or Narawa has a shot as a World Cup bolter
By Ben Smith
Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa, the Chiefs’ dynamic duo, continued their sensational seasons with destructive attacking play in the demolition job of the Highlanders
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Stevenson notched his 10th try of the year after seizing a deft chip kick from centre Daniel Rona, while dazzling with a flick pass for Anton Lienert-Brown’s try.
Narawa glided across the Forsyth Barr turf for one of the tries of the season, weaving through Highlanders defenders with apparent ease and had a hand in another try to George Dyer.
On form, both would be worthy selections in the All Blacks squad.
Both of them may debut during the reduced Rugby Championship or warm-up fixtures, which there is recent historical precedent for in a World Cup year.
In 2019, the All Blacks capped four new players, in 2015 they capped nine.
But only one of Stevenson or Narawa will likely be able to push forward as a World Cup bolter selection as the positional group is almost set in stone.
Five outside backs were taken on the Northern tour last year in a 35-man squad.
That will likely remain the case for the World Cup, even in a squad that will be reduced down to 33.
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Caleb Clarke is the first-choice left winger, bringing the power running the selectors want to see in the No. 11 jersey.
Crusader Leicester Fainga’anuku has been the backup and also brings versatility as a centre option.
Will Jordan is the first-choice right-wing when available and is one of the best strike weapons the All Blacks have, with 21 tries from 21 caps.
His speed, big-playmaking ability, kicking game, and budding combination with Rieko Ioane make him a must-start in the No. 14 jersey.
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Last year’s debutant, Mark Telea, entered the frame on the end-of-year tour as Jordan’s replacement.
With Crusader Sevu Reece out for the year with an ACL injury, Telea remains the backup No. 14 option.
Those are the four incumbent wingers who have the inside running on the World Cup squad spots at this point.
Narawa would have to displace either Telea or Fainga’anuku while beating out Stevenson in that selection process.
Telea still has been one of the form players in the competition, with the third-most defenders beaten and third-most clean breaks. Only Clarke and Stevenson have more.
The Blues’ right-wing is extremely shifty and brings a similar game to the table as Narawa. His form this season has been very good, more than enough to maintain his place.
Displacing Fainga’anuku on the left flank is a long shot. He brings a power game, midfield cover, while Narawa’s left-wing experience to date at Super Rugby level is limited.
Despite his brilliant form, the 23-year-old’s chances seem unlikely without injury to one of the front-runners.
Stevenson has better odds of securing the fifth squad spot for the outside backs, but it is dependent on whether the selectors want more midfield options.
Jordie Barrett continued to be selected as a fullback in the 2022 squad despite playing in the midfield down the stretch.
There is every chance Barrett is picked as a fullback in the World Cup squad to allow for the selection of another midfielder, which would be the worst case scenario for Stevenson.
However, if Barrett is picked purely as a midfielder the Chiefs’ fullback then has a decent shot at forcing his way in as a wing-fullback option over Narawa.
There is also an argument that Stevenson could displace Telea purely on the grounds of versatility, with the Chiefs’ star able to cover two positions.
The All Blacks have traditionally viewed the right wing position as a second fullback, a role that Stevenson is well-suited for, along with players like Will Jordan, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, and Cory Jane.
In 2015, Nehe Milner-Skudder, who played fullback for the Hurricanes, emerged as a talented right winger for the All Blacks in the World Cup.
This season, Stevenson has been the form player, displaying Milner-Skudder-like energy and producing big plays at will
The 26 year old has filled out his 1.90 metre frame and has evolved to a level where he is playing a different game to everyone else in Super Rugby, possessing both the height and size for Test rugby, along with speed and natural attacking instinct.
The All Blacks suffered a lifeless attacking performance in their defeat to England four years ago in Japan.
They couldn’t find a way to the get the ball back often enough and when they did, they lacked power options and the game-breakers couldn’t find an answer to England’s punishing defence.
With that in mind, it would be negligent to dismiss a player like Stevenson who has shown X-factor and the nascent ability to manufacture tries.
Narawa may become an All Black this year, but it is Stevenson with a realistic pathway to France as part of the World Cup squad.
World Cup squad outside backs prediction: Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Shaun Stevenson, Leicester Fainga’anuku
Given the likely cover for wing and fullback - Beauden, Damien, Jordie, Reiko, Havili - might the selectors go for 4 players at the back, and 5 in the midfield?
Forget about Clarke and Beauden Barrett, totally out of form, let McKenzie run the cutter, Barrett 2nd five, Aumua centre, Tawara right wing, Leicester left and Stevenson fullback.
Let's see how Jordan goes over the next few months.
The Ioani Brothers are show ponies. Foster needs to roll the dice. .put uo a team that no one knows about.
All these comments ruling out Clarke because of his defense, what about Fainganuku? Against the chiefs he missed the only tackle he attempted, not a midfield option for mine. Seems to be the trend with power wings though, I'd have Emoni ahead of both these 2 on his defensive ability alone
Nope I think Clarke and Leicester will get dropped Leinster has shown he's very poor in international games where's Stevenson has shown that he can live up to the pressure of international level Clarke can't tackle or defend narawa is far far better than both
Clake is the obvious weak link to drop out. His defence is abysmal.
Also to drop Leicester he's not all black material or international material
Not sure Clarke (who cannot defend at all and is not scoring) or Telea (who has played 2 ABs games) are automatic...
Sure it is Foster so not flexible but on form, scoring and defense, Stevenson and Narawa are better and hopefully the decision is Schmidt's
You're wrong about the left wing.
I agree the outside back selection will depend on whether Foster sees Jordie Barrett as primarily a fullback or second five. I not sure why Caleb Clarke is considered an automatic selection though, his form this season has hardly been exceptional, and his defensive issues should be a red flag.
Caleb clarke ball distribution skills and defence are very poor. I would prefer fainganuuku as the first choice left, that opens room for narawa and Stevenson who bring the x-factor. Beuden barret should be picked as fullback , richie and mackenzie as 10, mackenzie should be brought in the last 20 minute's during broken play to pin defences back
Take both...drop either BB or JB..
Drop bb easy mounga bench dmack starts