BEAUDEN BARRETT
While it must be tempting to put Lima Sopoaga in the number ten jersey on his home patch, Beauden Barrett’s influence on the series so far has been nothing short of brilliant. His injection at fullback in the first Test changed the game, and he had the same effect in 50 minutes at Westpac Stadium in his preferred first-five position.
Everyone knows that Barrett is the best running number ten in New Zealand, but coach Steve Hansen will no doubt be tempted to see how he can steer the team around the park, and it would also be nice to see how he kicks from the tee under pressure which is arguably Barrett’s weakest point.
With Aaron Cruden nursing a sore neck, it should be Barrett who starts with Sopoaga given a chance to see if he can make an impact from the reserves.
ISRAEL DAGG
The re-born Israel Dagg is looking like the Dagg of five years ago and deserves another shot at fullback this week. He made the most carries for the All Blacks in his first Test back in eleven months, and ran for the third most metres, while also combining well with Ben Smith who was dangerous, as usual, on the right-wing.
Dagg’s best asset is his monster punt and he’s also not shy to come up into the line at first receiver which will alleviate some of the pressure on Barrett. The 28-year-old’s got that zip back in his step and is clearly enjoying his rugby again and the selectors should give him another shot.
It will be interesting to see who gets the nod on the left-wing. Hansen may be tempted to give Waisake Naholo a rest and bring back Julian Savea.
ELLIOT DIXON
Jerome Kaino’s quickly reminded everyone that he’s the best All Blacks number six, so it’s time to find out whether Elliot Dixon is up to Test standard.
The Highlanders blindside certainly fits the mould of an All Blacks number six: he hits incredibly hard on defense, is a strong ball runner, and proved in last year’s Super Rugby final that the bigger the game, the better he gets.
It would be a real treat for the Dunedin fans to see Dixon make his Test debut on Saturday night, and no doubt a few Southlanders will make the trip north to see one of their Stags take the next step after a couple of outstanding seasons.
Newshub.