The Countdown to the All Blacks’ First Squad of 2023 Heats Up
As the anticipated unveiling of the inaugural All Blacks squad of the year edges closer, several names have emerged as strong contenders for starting jerseys, surpassing their “bolter” status. One such player is in-form Hurricanes center Billy Proctor, who boasts the added advantage of an established partnership with incumbent All Blacks second five-eighth Jordie Barrett.
Proctor and Barrett have been instrumental in the Hurricanes’ best season since 2015, prompting questions about the security of Rieko Ioane’s position. The Barrett-Ioane combination had seemed poised to lead the All Blacks’ midfield charge towards the Rugby World Cup final, but Proctor’s tenacity and instinctive play alongside Barrett in the Hurricanes’ jersey may just be reminding fans of a productive pairing from the capital’s past.
“Rieko is world-class, proven at the international level,” former All Black James Parsons noted on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “I think that combination (of Barrett and Proctor) will get a go, and when Billy makes his debut, he will have Jordie inside him, just to set him up for success.”
However, Parsons acknowledged that Ioane has faced a “challenging year,” with injuries potentially impacting his form. Meanwhile, Proctor’s consistency has been a standout, with the Hurricanes often struggling when he is absent from the lineup.
“His bad games are an eight (out of 10) and his good games are a 10,” fellow panelist Bryn Hall added. “That kind of consistency should be pretty well rewarded, and he’s been doing it for a very long time.”
The upcoming All Blacks squad selection will be closely watched, with the coaching staff needing to make tough decisions among a wealth of midfield options, including the likes of Anton Lienert-Brown and Braydon Ennor. Parsons, however, believes Proctor’s international experience with the New Zealand Maori team has prepared him for the step up to the All Blacks.
“Let’s not forget that Billy has absolutely carved up for the All Blacks XV as well, so he’s ready,” Parsons concluded. “You just can’t ignore, as Bryn said, the last four or five years he has been world-class.”
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