Former All Black James Parsons sees number eight Ardie Savea’s absence from the Bledisloe Cup Tests as an opportunity for Blues star Hoskins Sotutu to get a chance to shine at Test level.
Savea will miss at least the first Test against the Wallabies as he is expecting his third child to be born.
The Hurricanes back-row has been in brilliant form throughout the Test season, despite the All Blacks often producing poor performances.
Sotutu’s chance
Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson has been called up to the squad as cover for Savea. However, Parsons, speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, believes that the right player to start for the All Blacks would be Sotutu.
“Although Ardie’s away, waiting for his third child, he probably needs a break, he is so impressive, man he has performed so well this season,” Parsons said.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for Hoskins, he obviously performed really well on Sunday for Counties (Manukau), I think he had 13 tackles and 13 carries. He was into his work.
“He’s energetic, he’s wanting to play some footy so it’ll be exciting to see him get some extended minutes.”
Sotutu, who is the only specialist number eight, is match fit and ready after being sent back to the NPC where he played for Counties Manukau.
Importance of NPC
Former Crusader Bryn Hall said the NPC provides the perfect platform for players to keep fit whilst using what has been learnt in the All Blacks camp.
“It’s all well being in that environment, training, and being able to learn and understand what it is to be in that All Blacks environment and train at a high level but you need time in the saddle, you’d rather go play,” Hall said.
Parsons agreed with Hall about the importance of the NPC, particularly with the 2023 Rugby World Cup a year from now.
“Getting back into the NPC, getting extended minutes, you want to play yourself into form so that when the opportunity is presented, whether there’s injuries or at the end of year tour, they’re ready to go, to pull trigger and compete for a spot in that World Cup,” he added.
It is all to play for in the Rugby Championship with all four teams having won two and lost two heading into the final stretch of the tournament.
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