All Blacks: Is the Number 12 the New Unlucky 13?

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.

This year, it appears that the New Zealand framework has attempted a shift away from this, reverting to (or attempting to) a freewheeling strategy. In this, it may be creating an uncertainty that is affecting the All Blacks' play.

Injuries to the above mentioned centres, as well as to Luke McAlister, have not helped.

But with a running attack so dependent on the ball players at the 10, 12, and 13 axis, it seems that the All Black back play has been somewhat stifled, even looking to imitate the Wallabies to some degree, as seen in their most recent match.

Much of Australia’s attacking success comes from the twin playing bloc of Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes, working in a mould seen prevalently at Canterbury and Crusader’s level under Robbie Deans.

While some have criticised Giteau’s selection at No. 10, in general play, both the Canberra-raised rugby product and Barnes switch first receiver—and first defender—more often than not, which essentially renders any argument regarding them being in the wrong position moot.

This was something I noted at Brisbane recently and was confirmed by long serving Wallabies media wizard Anthony “AJ” George.

The All Blacks attempted this gambit with Dan Carter and Stephen Donald.

But it wasn’t executed with nearly as much crispness and in hindsight, shouldn’t have been tried at all. It isn’t to say that Donald wouldn’t have been a success at No. 12 had he actually been positioned there in open play.

In the first half, Donald played first receiver far more than Carter.

And whether it was by plan or by the decision of the Waikato pivot himself, more often than not, he took the ball into contact, effectively rendering the ball-playing ability of a strong All Blacks backline redundant.

As it was in Hong Kong last year (Donald played 10 then, Carter played 12), and as it was in Hamilton, the All Blacks looked far more assured with Nonu at second five, who is, for all intents and purposes, the incumbent, having played 21 of the New Zealand’s last 23 tests there.

As in 2004, it appears that the All Blacks' new 2009 attacking game is based loosely on a flat line attack. 

But with so much depending on the ability of the 10 and 12 based players to take the ball to the line, the experiments at second five eighth are one of the key reasons for the All Blacks' sub standard performances this year.