All Blacks XV: A Stepping Stone for Emerging Talent against Munster and Georgia
All BlacksOctober 9, 2024
Chiefs and former Māori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan looks forward to pitting his All Blacks XV against Munster in Limerick on November 3 and Georgia at Montpellier on November 11.
The side is touring simultaneously with the All Blacks, and several players are expected to be involved in the Test match with Japan on October 26 in Yokohama.
The All Blacks coaching group will still decide which side members will be called in. Some players will also likely be involved with the All Blacks during their European tour.
McMillan spent time with the All Blacks when they were in camp preparing for their final Rugby Championship Test against Australia.
"We spent a decent amount of time canvassing a wide range of players. A key component of that are people the All Blacks' coaches see as being contenders, but also a balance of what we will need to compete up north and rewarding people who perform well through Super Rugby and, more recently, NPC."
Ten players in the side have played for the All Blacks which will be valuable for the less experienced members.
"One of the functions of this team is to ensure we take away people who want to compete and want to fight to take that next step.
"Playing against quality opposition Munster and Georgia will be an opportunity for us to play these teams who play a different style of rugby in different conditions.
Emerging Taranaki and Chiefs first five-eighths Josh Jacomb is included and is a player McMillan is familiar with from his Super Rugby squad.
"He stood out last year through the NPC and was on everyone's radar, and we were fortunate to pick him up in our environment. He didn't get much opportunity, but it would have been a good eye-opener for him to see what it took to operate at Super Rugby level.
"He's taken those experiences and gone back into a well-coached, high functioning Taranaki team and continued their growth. So, it's been pleasing to watch this. The All Blacks selectors were enthusiastic about his potential and that's been rewarded in his selection."
Hoskins Sotutu has also been included after missing out on the All Blacks squad this year. Like all players, he will have a chance to showcase his ability on an international stage.
"One thing I've figured out looking at this team is we've got an abundance of talent and a lot of good players that have missed out, and the loose forwards is one of those areas where we seem to be blessed with a hell of a lot of good rugby players.
"It's fantastic that he [Sotutu] gets his opportunity as a great performer in Super Rugby, and I've been impressed with how he's been going over the last month or so with Counties Manukau."
Also included is Otago and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland, from the Netherlands, who is now qualified to play for New Zealand.
"He's got that thing there's not a lot of, and that's genuine size. He's a big man who's been a strong performer for the Highlanders this year and Otago. It's going to be fantastic to see him come into a New Zealand rugby environment. He's one of those ones I imagine the All Blacks coaches will be taking a keen interest in."
McMillan said that inclusion in the team signals to players that they are in the equation for future national selection. They need to embrace the opportunity and, for those who have the chance, to go deep into their NPC campaigns.
"Then, when they come to us, we create a new energy and embrace all those people from different environments into the All Blacks XV heading away and trying to put in a collective performance that, hopefully, individuals will prosper from."
