Back in the 1980s, the land was flush with fullbacks.
The All Blacks tended to favour goal kicking fullbacks, so Robbie Deans, Kieran Crowley, Greg Cooper, Mark Finlay and Allan Hewson were in vogue. Maybe that’s why the brilliant attacking No 15 Lindsay Harris, so integral to the Auckland pattern throughout that decade, never got a look-in.
It worked well enough for the All Blacks in those days. But by 1996, Christian Cullen had arrived as a dynamic offensive juggernaut.
In 2021, the All Blacks are again flush with men who could easily wear the No 15 jersey and offer full value.
When Jordie Barrett was scoring all 30 points for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders in March, he looked every inch the best fullback in New Zealand, as he was in 2020. He is indispensable in a squad situation, with his priceless ability to bang goals from well over 50m.
But then Damian McKenzie showed his clutch qualities by kicking the Chiefs to victory in no less than three straight games. Fearless under the high ball, dangerous on the counter and with a propensity to pop up anywhere, D Mac made a compelling case to wear the No 15 jersey, or at least No 22 or 23.
Will Jordan, meanwhile, was carving up for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Aotearoa, playing seven straight games at fullback and scoring five tries. He has more pace than Barrett or McKenzie. He doesn’t kick goals, but could easily slot into the All Blacks on the wing until there is an opening in his favourite position.
David Havili should be mentioned in dispatches. He too is a natural fullback, but played so well in the No 12 jersey for the Crusaders that, by the time you read this, he could be an All Blacks midfielder.
We have not even talked about Beauden Barrett yet. Fresh off some compelling footy for Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese Top League, though at pivot, Barrett senior wants to play No 10 for the All Blacks. However, he has the small matter of Richie Mo’unga, the best five in New Zealand, blocking his path there.
But he now has the other four to contend with for the fullback berth or even for a place in the bench. There is nothing surer that you cannot fit more than three of these names into the starting XV plus one more off the bench. At best, one will miss out.
It is the ultimate embarrassment of riches for Foster, the envy of every other coach in the world game.
His fullbacks have every skill covered: aerial ability, defensive courage, big boot, gas to burn, and even temperaments. This isn’t just a Mick Williment versus Fergie McCormick match-up from 1967. This is George Nepia versus Bob Scott versus Don Clarke versus Christian Cullen versus Mils Muliaina.
Foster will know who he wants, but someone will be bitterly disappointed. You cannot blame him and you cannot blame them. Just watch them fly.