By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - RugbyHeaven | Thursday, 22 May 2008
Robbie Deans has brought a dramatic dose of reality to Stephen Brett's claims for an All Blacks jersey.
Dean's decision to dump Brett to the bench for Saturday night's sudden death semifinal showdown with the Hurricanes is a blow to Brett's test aspirations.
It's also a clear indication that the defensive question marks that plague the talented Brett are very real.
Deans has decided that Tim Bateman is a safer option against the raw power of Ma'a Nonu than Brett.
In terms of the bigger picture, it's advantage Nonu even before the whistle blows to kick-off this New Zealand derby that is undoubtedly an All Blacks trial.
There is no doubt that Brett is one of the most talented young footballers going around in the New Zealand game at the moment.
His tactical kicking is astute though his goal kicking is a little less so. His distribution is sweet and his reading of situations nearly always spot-on. His running game is almost unmatched and his versatility in being able to switch between No 10 and second five-eighths makes him a real asset.
But his defence - for the Crusaders and Canterbury - has always had a suspect look to it.
Second five isn't a place for frailty in test rugby while the new laws have added greater defensive responsibilities to the first five's game. The five-metre rule at scrum time makes that an increasingly attractive attacking channel.
Now it seems Deans has decided that Brett's defence is too risky to start a match of this importance.
So where does that leave him in terms of the All Blacks then?
The national selectors make no secret of the fact that these are the sort of games where they look to finalise their options.
If you have a toss-up situation between two players then the performance in a Super 14 semifinal is an ideal barometer to make the final call.
It's hard to judge a player sitting on the bench.
But there are few better judges of character and ability than Deans.
This will have been a tough decision for him because Brett has been central to the Crusaders' success this year.
He looked to be getting to grips with the No 12 jersey when he was operating in tandem with Dan Carter through the first five weeks of the championship. They were a sweet combination as teams tried to find their way around the new rules before Brett injured a shoulder against the Cheetahs.
When Carter was ruled out with a major ankle problem, Brett eventually stepped back in from his own rehab to keep things ticking over at No 10.
But with the Crusaders spluttering a bit over the past few rounds and then looking downright shabby in last week's upset loss to the Highlanders where Brett was back in the midfield, the master coach has decided it's time to make some tough calls.
There's no room for Brett in his starting XV just as there is no room for a sentimental decision on Reuben Thorne who is also dropped to the bench as the Crusaders look for the right loose forwards mix to compete against an area of strength for the Hurricanes.
Thorne is no longer an option for the All Blacks but Brett certainly is as the New Zealand selectors start looking at their long term alternatives to the likes of Nick Evans and possibly Carter at first five.
But right now they have a more immediate hole to fill at second five-eighths with recent regulars Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Sam Tuitupou having departed the scene.
Many critics were looking at Brett as an answer there.
But Deans, about to take over as Wallabies coach, may have already answered that with this latest selection choice.
Unless, of course, the conspiracy theorists suggest Deans is selling the All Blacks a dummy!
I would rubbish that. Deans is too much of a realist. These are the sort of games that the Crusaders thrive on, the sort of challenges they have seen off in claiming six titles.
This is a time for the ruthless attitude that has been the hallmark of Deans and his teams.
With a seventh title beckoning there is too much at stake right now and that's why the red and blacks have made their midfield mix of Bateman and Casey Laulala to confront Nonu and Conrad Smith.
When push comes to shove in a week or so will the All Blacks selectors think the same way when they name their first squad of the year?
Does Graham Henry follow Deans' lead or does he have faith in Brett's all round game? Is Brett a better first five than a second five or is he lost in between?
Right now it seems that if Brett is to get a spot at all it might be in a bench role at best.
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