All Blacks Eye Fly-Half for Scrum-Half Cover Amid Injury Woes
Veteran Analyst Suggests Unconventional Solution for Limited Options
New Zealand faces a deepening injury crisis at scrum-half, prompting a former All Black to propose an unorthodox solution: utilizing fly-half Damian McKenzie to fill the void. This suggestion comes as head coach Scott Robertson prepares for the Rugby Championship with a depleted number of available nines.
Scrum-Half Shortage Hits All Blacks
The national team is currently without two key scrum-halves. First-choice player **Cam Roigard**, who had been establishing himself as a standout performer, is sidelined. Alongside him, promising young talent **Noah Hotham** is also unavailable for selection. This leaves **Cortez Ratima** as the likely starter for their upcoming match against Los Pumas in two weeks.
To bolster cover, **Finlay Christie** and **Kyle Preston** have been brought into the training squad. However, All Blacks legend **Jeff Wilson** believes the team could manage with fewer specialist scrum-halves, relying on **McKenzie** as a versatile option.
“I wouldn’t be surprised, and they’ve done this at a Rugby World Cup, if they use Damian McKenzie to cover half-back as an option,”
—Jeff Wilson, All Blacks Great
“If he’s your third on tour – you’re only going away for two Test matches – if you feel as though you’re comfortable going into the first, you will start Cortez and Finlay’s on the bench, and they might play both Test matches,” **Wilson** elaborated on *The Breakdown*. “If you don’t feel like you need to take anyone else, I think Damian McKenzie could do the job quite easily; understand the plays, understand the calls. He’s fit enough, conditioned enough and his passing game’s good.”
**Wilson** noted that while it’s an unconventional move, the team has shown a willingness to employ such strategies, even citing an instance at a Rugby World Cup where **McKenzie** was utilized, albeit against a less challenging opponent.
All Blacks boss Scott Robertson has named his squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship, with a host of surprises and omissions. #AllBlacks #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/K1jVjO8oXQ
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) June 1, 2024
This tactical flexibility mirrors the approach taken by the Springboks with **Cheslin Kolbe**, who has successfully played at scrum-half in a Test capacity. **Kolbe** provided crucial cover during the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Fitness Concerns for Returning Stars
Beyond the scrum-half situation, **Wilson** expressed concern regarding the match readiness of players returning from injury for the Tests against Argentina. **Wallace Sititi**, **Tamaiti Williams**, and **Peter Lakai** are all back in the squad after missing the July series against France. **Wilson** questioned their preparedness for a high-stakes fixture against South Africa at Eden Park if their game time is limited in the initial matches.
“For me, it’s how ready is a Wallace Sititi going to be? Some of these guys who get on the plane but don’t play the first Test, maybe play a bit of the second, are they going to be ready for South Africa at Eden Park?” **Wilson** queried.
The All Blacks’ depth at scrum-half has been tested previously. In the 2015 Rugby World Cup, fly-half **Colin Slade** was called upon to cover scrum-half duties due to injuries to **Richie Mo’unga** and **Aaron Smith**.
