'Should be the starting seven': The player putting pressure on Sam Cane
Flanker Dalton Papali’i did the All Blacks’ famous No. 7 jersey justice with his performance against Wales, after Sam Cane was ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
Papali’i was given an opportunity to start creating “some headaches” before next year’s World Cup, as he looks to stake his claim for regular minutes in the black jersey.
But with opportunity comes pressure within the All Blacks environment, and the 25-year-old more than lived up to expectations with a promising display.
While he stood out anyway with his bleached hair, Papali’i was also in the thick of the action early-on in the Test at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Papali’i made an impressive 20 metre burst through the heart of the Welsh defence and into their 22, which ultimately paved the way for Codie Taylor’s first try.
The 25-year-old was constantly sniping around the breakdown as well, causing havoc for the Welsh, and also made his mark on defence – making a team-high tackles.
Speaking on The Breakdown, former Black Fern Chelsea Semple said Papali’i “should be the starting seven” for the All Blacks with Sam Cane out.
“It’s his opportunity and I think with Sam (Cane) being at home, Dalton is gonna wanna take this by the neck,” Semple said on The Breakdown.
“I think he should be the starting seven and I think he deserves this opportunity, and he’s going to want to create some headaches heading into the World Cup next year.
“When you’ve got Sam coming back from injury, a few other sevens putting their hand up and they will continue to put their hand up in Super Rugby as well.
“Dalton knows if he puts his hand up in these next few games on this tour, he’s going to put Fozzie in a bit of a selection tiff with his captain coming back.
“Dalton deserves a start and he needs more game time, he hasn’t had a lot of game time in the All Blacks, so this is the perfect opportunity.”
Running out alongside an exciting back row trio which included Shannon Frizell and Ardie Savea, Papali’i was exactly what the All Blacks needed on Sunday morning (NZT).
“He’s just been absolutely outstanding and he’s playing like someone who has been starved of game time in that black jersey and he’s really relishing in being given this opportunity,” Samoan international Taylah Johnson said earlier.
“He makes his tackles, he contests at the rugby time, but he’s also really explosive on attack and he offers something different.
“He’s really stamping his mark in that seven jersey, but also all the loose forwards played really well last night.
“It’s going to be a really tough battle. We look ahead to next year and this is where guys really need to stamp their mark sand say ‘you need to look at me for that World Cup squad.’”
Next up for the All Blacks is a crunch clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, before an international blockbuster with England Twickenham.
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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