Going to be some holes to fill; and while I don’t watch a huge amount of Super Rugby I think in most places its apparent who the replacements already are. I think its interesting in a way that for some of these players the replacement is already neck & neck with them anyway.
Brodie / Sam is kinda a combo - I think Scott Barrett is already obviously our #1 lock so its really who comes in as more of a lineout operator I think. Josh Lord is probably first cab off the rank but there’s a few other young locks in NZ that look the goods too.
Nepo Laulala - obvious replacement is already an All Black in Fletcher Newell, so we’re probably looking at who would be the 6th prop in the squad and I have no idea.
Aaron Smith - Cam Roigaard will be there, Finley Christie probably in the squad and then there’s lads like Cortez Ratima or Folau Fakatava as well. NZ is not short on decent half backs, we’re just short on ones that have got some international rugger under their belts.
Dane Coles - another instance of replacing a squad member rather than a starting 15 player which is a position NZ isn’t often in. Taukeiaho was the #2 #2 already. Of the players coming through, I think Asafo Aumua has been tried and found wanting - if I were NZR i’d be investing time into Tyrone Thompson and Brodie McAlister.
Richie Mo’unga - Interestingly neither Beaudie or Ardie are listed as departing, so they presumably are both eligible for more games. DMac is the first cab off the rank at 10 for mine. Behind him there’s a bit of a gap, Perofeta doesn’t even play 10 at NPC and didn’t get much time at the Blues. I think Blues should go all in on Zarn Sullivan at 10 anyway. Fergus Burke being out injured next year doesn’t help, and Reuben Love looks good but needs a campaign or two at 10 to be sure. Big hole for the ABs unless BB is there as cover.
Shannon Frizell - Had a great year but I wished he wasn’t in the ABs after his off field stuff. Todd Blackadder, Samipeni Finau - younger dudes but just need time in the saddle.
Leicester Fainga’anuku - Probably should have got more game time, but didn’t because you can’t deny Telea & Jordan and he was off overseas too early. Jordan will probably play 15, which leaves Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson or Telea.
Ardie/Beaudie - I dunno how ready for international rugby Ardie will be after playing so much rugby back to back. At 8 we’ve got the likes of Cullen Grace or Devan Flanders, plus Hoskins Sotutu might find some form too. BB gets replaced by Jordan at 15, but if he’s still around as a backup 10 that’d be very much a nice to have; albeit Perofeta fills the same role.
Apparently we can add another one to the Ardie/Beaudie category with Sam Cane taking a sabbatical to play in Japan instead of the 2024 Super Rugby season.
Obviously we already have Daltan Papali’i, behind him would be Billy Harmon (he’d be a starting player for most other international teams). But the loose trio will be interesting as I think the selections will come down to how Robertson wants to play - the All Blacks haven’t had an out & out fetcher in recent years and got exposed by Ireland last year, though during the World Cup that didn’t seem to matter as much.