Analysis - There's a lot to talk about in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad, but none more literally bigger than Simon Parker. It is slightly ironic that the 1.97m, 120kg loose forward had a big season for the Chiefs, his first since becoming a Super Rugby player that wasn't spent mostly on the sidelines, only to be hit with injury and ruled out of selection for the series against France.
So now it seems that Parker was in the picture all along, with Christian Lio-Willie's call up the fall back plan. Lio-Willie certainly didn't do anything wrong in the 3-0 series win and it's hard not to feel sorry for him, but Parker's bulk is something that feels like the last piece of the forwards puzzle that Scott Robertson is trying to put together.
Despite the obvious world class talents of Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi, the loose forwards have been lacking a bit of size. Solutions have been tried - Tupou Vaa'i was moved to blindside in a successful stop gap during the French series, while Samipeni Finau has been given plenty of time to stamp his name on the position.
Simon Parker. Photo: Martin Hunter/www.photosport.nz
Parker could be very much seen as a Liam Squire 2.0, with Squire the closest anyone has come to being the long term solution at blindside ever since Jerome Kaino's departure a decade ago. The two are strikingly similar physically, almost exactly the same height and weight, and both picked at 25. Hopefully, the All Blacks can get more out of Parker than Squire, whose career was cut short after only 23 tests.
Very much like Fabian Holland, Parker appears to be someone Robertson has had his eye on for a while, so just when he gets unleashed into test rugby will be interesting.
Kyle Preston. Photo: Michael Bradley/ActionPress
Also of interest is the fact that six players have been named as injury cover but one will certainly play a role in the upcoming tests in Argentina. Injuries to Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham means either Finlay Christie or Kyle Preston will presumably be on the bench behind Cortez Ratima. The fact that Ratima is now the senior man in the halfback group is slightly concerning, so a potential change in tactics to take pressure off through the forwards might be in order.
Then there's a whole other option at halfback in Leroy Carter. Alongside Parker, he had a stellar season for the Chiefs and has played in the nine jersey at provincial level. Just to show the selectors how much more useful he can be, Carter had a great game at centre for Bay of Plenty over the weekend.
Leroy Carter. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tevita Mafileo completes the compliment of new faces, added to the propping rotation after a being a part of an exceptionally strong Hurricanes scrum over the past couple of seasons.
So what does this all mean for the All Blacks? Robertson is certainly putting a bit of depth to the test in what shapes to be an extremely tricky trip to Argentina, however, has enough experience to stack around those players in any event. Beauden Barrett will start at first five and Will Jordan at fullback, so two thirds of the backline axis are in form and scoring tries, while in the pack Scott Barrett returns to provide an interesting selection picture at lock.
Holland's emergence, Sititi's return and Peter Lakai's call up will have a flow on effect for Vaa'i, does he move back to lock and shunt Holland to the bench? It's a good problem for Robertson to have, as the tight five in general is looking very balanced.
The most interesting situation could come on the wing - Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece are the incumbent starters, but Carter could feasibly force his way in as arguably the fastest player in the country.
One thing is for sure, though. France did the All Blacks a favour by sending down an understrength side so Robertson could blood some new players, but the Pumas and Springboks will not be so accommodating. The next four tests could shape this entire season and the public's opinion on Robertson's strategy, so there's plenty to play for.
All Blacks Rugby Championship squad
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Brodie McAlister
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
Locks: Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i, Fabian Holland
Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Noah Hotham
First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai
Outside backs: Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Ruben Love
Injury cover: George Bower, Tevita Mafileo, Josh Lord, Finlay Christie, Kyle Preston, Leroy Carter
