Love, who has donned the number 10 jersey for every test under Rennie, experienced a challenging game recently. Despite showing improvements in his attacking gameplay over previous appearances, his kicking game faltered significantly, missing three crucial attempts. Moreover, Love received a yellow card during the match, adding to his woes.
The narrow loss to the Springboks, with a scoreline of 29-24, underscored the cost of Love's missed kicks. Kirwan reflected on the impact of these errors, stating, "Ruben has been really steady" but emphasizing the disappointment in leaving points on the field. "He will be disappointed in that – two conversions and a penalty – so that’s seven points you can’t leave out there. Ruben will be disappointed he didn’t nail that," he remarked.
"If you’re not really clean, and I think Dave Rennie said after the game, you give a penalty away on the 10-metre mark, they’re going to kick to the corner and their maul is incredibly devastating."
Rennie's decision-making does not stop at Love and Mo'unga. The squad features other seasoned players like Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, who are ready to step in if required. Although McKenzie has been a consistent full-back this season, Barrett and Mo'unga's experience could be crucial. "There will be pressure on him because he’s got Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett that have a whole lot of experience, so he will be under pressure to get selected this week," Kirwan analyzed.
Mo'unga, who joined the tour following an injury to Billy Proctor, has participated only once so far—against the Lions in Johannesburg. His previous role as the All Blacks' first-choice fly-half at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups might weigh in his favor as Rennie contemplates his options.
Despite the pressure, Kirwan commended Love for his resilience and performance in the tests so far. "Ruben’s been really steady. He’s a young man, to play in those Test matches and play well has been a real positive," he added. Kirwan posed the dilemma facing the All Blacks' coaching staff: "Richie’s come back, he’s been in the squad, do you throw him out there or do you continue to give Ruben confidence? That’s a really interesting selection for this week; what will they do?"
Kirwan's insight into the situation underscores the complexities of team selection at the highest level. As the All Blacks prepare for their next encounter, the choice between Love and Mo'unga will be a testament to the strategic thinking and foresight of Rennie and his coaching team.
As the rugby world turns its attention to the All Blacks' next game, the decision over who will command the fly-half position is more than just about skills—it's about handling the pressure and seizing the critical moments. Rennie's choice will indeed be a defining moment in this test series.
