(Photo by Nigel Marple/Getty Images)
In the modern era, some believe that centre has been a problem position for New Zealand. But with the All Blacks' style of play shifting, it seems that second five eighth may be their new quandary.
When referring to New Zealand’s worst defeats, most reflections inevitably drift toward World Cups. To say that these losses were merely chokes is unfair to the performances of their opponents, with the French (twice) and Wallaby triumphs of the last three editions being arguably the greatest performances of those respective rugby nations.
If one tried to isolate a single factor that led to those dark moments in All Black history, the one common denominator was at centre, where in 1999 (Christian Cullen), 2003 (Leon Macdonald), and 2007 (Mils Muliaina)—all converted midfielders and specialist fullbacks—highlighted a limitation in the All Blacks' arsenal.
For a long period, a certain Jonathan Falefasa (Tana) Umaga was the rock on which the All Blacks built their midfield, but when he left international rugby, no less than six players filled the berth as they struggled to find a long-term replacement.
Injuries aside, this position appears to have been fixed with two excellent outside centres in Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui. The Wellington and Hurricanes centre was probably the one All Black who returned from their 0-2 South African safari with his reputation enhanced.
It seems now that the vexed number may have moved down by one.
In 2008, Ma’a Nonu took a considerable step up in class to fill a deep void left by the departure of the two test incumbent second five eighths, Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister.
It signaled a shift away from the All Black back playing maxim, with Nonu a running midfielder, not in the mould of the traditional second five that had dominated the Graham Henry era.
To say that the dreadlocked centre filled the role with aplomb is an understatement, with New Zealand winning 13 of 15 test matches last year. With just one dominant playmaker, the All Blacks by and large still played attacking, but abnormally pragmatic rugby by their standards.
Many say this was due to the unsuccessful approach of the all out offensive style leading into Cardiff in 2007.
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