Rugby: Nanai-Williams should get a chance with ABs

Tim Nanai-Williams. Photo by Getty
Tim Nanai-Williams. Photo by Getty
OPINION: First, the bad news. There are whispers that Tim Nanai-Williams' chances of making the All Blacks this year aren't great due to concerns from the selectors about his defensive ability.

If true it's a shame, because the 23-year-old has been brilliant at the Chiefs this season. His pace, agility and ability to read the game have made him one of the stand-out backs of the competition. Centre is an unfamiliar position for Nanai-Williams, who has made the move from the wing, yet he leads the try-scoring tally among the New Zealand teams after 11 rounds with six, one more than Blues wing Frank Halai.

With centre Conrad Smith set to be unavailable for the All Blacks' European tour, Richard Kahui off to Japan (if his shoulder allows it), and Cory Jane out with a knee injury, the national selectors are in the market for another midfielder later this year and Nanai-Williams' ability to cover wing and fullback should mark him out as a real prospect.

However, the slog of test rugby is more akin to trench warfare than the hit-and-run guerrilla tactics of its Super counterpart and that's why sound tackling technique is one of the first qualities looked at by the selectors. The All Blacks were only slightly off defensively against England at Twickenham in their final test last year and yet they were punished severely, a defeat no doubt still ringing in Hansen's mind.

These All Blacks selectors have shown they are willing to take a chance on youth - it paid off last year with locks Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick and halfback Aaron Smith - but they also like to fall back on experience.

It's why, despite his ordinary form, Ma'a Nonu will more than likely be playing at second-five against France in June, with Conrad Smith outside him.

Later this year current All Black Ben Smith, a utility, is a possibility for the midfield, as is in-form Blues centre Rene Ranger, who played three tests for the All Blacks in 2010.

But here is a plug for the little bloke with the double-barrelled name and dancing feet who certainly doesn't lack for courage despite his size - he is 5cm shorter and 8kg lighter than Conrad Smith.

As Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith, a former All Blacks selector, said this week, Nanai-Williams constantly plays above his weight, especially at the breakdown. He also has a little of his cousin Sonny Bill Williams' X-factor - valuable when the All Blacks become a little predictable as they did in their loss to England.

"What people don't see often is his work in the dark places and the contesting of rucks," Smith said after Nanai-Williams impressed in the Chiefs' victory over the Sharks.

"He's not quite as prevalent as Rene Ranger in that area, but he's close to it and they're probably the two best in the country."

In the next breath, however, Smith mentioned what could be Nanai-Williams' Achilles heel: "He did fall off some tackles which I thought blighted his performance ... a measure of him was that he was pretty down in the changing room after having a man of the match performance. All he could remember were the tackles he fell off."

Nanai-Williams saved one try with his extreme pace and willingness to chase back but still the overwhelming feeling for him was disappointment.

Here's hoping he can impress Hansen and Co sufficiently to avoid similar feelings later this year.


The Chiefs team to play the Rebels at Aami Park in Melbourne tonight (fri), kick-off 9.40 NZT, is: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Bundee Aki, Aseali Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Brendon Leonard, Matt Vant Leven, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (c), Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Toby Smith, Michael Fitzgerald, Tanerau Latimer, Augustine Pulu, Robbie Robinson, Patrick Osborne.

Rebels: Jason Woodward, Tom English, Mitch Inman, Rory Sidey, Cooper Vuna, James O'Connor, Nick Phipps, Scott Higginbotham (c), Scott Fuglistaller, Jarrod Saffy, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Gareth Delve, Nic Stirzaker, Kurtley Beale, Lachlan Mitchell.


 

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