Rookie aims ‘to make the boys proud’
Anton Lienert-brown said all the right things; the trick now is to do them.
The 21-year-old’s temperament was impressive as he faced the lights, cameras and tape recorders for the first time as an All Black, yesterday. Australia at Westpac Stadium tomorrow are the real test, but Lienert-brown appears off to a good start.
Starting some Super Rugby games for the Chiefs this year appeared as if it might be achievement enough. Now he’s the All Blacks’ new second five-eighth, with parents, grandparents and various aunts and uncles hurriedly making their way to Wellington to watch him.
‘‘I just hope I can put a performance out there that they’ll be proud of and the boys will be proud of as well,’’ Lienert-brown said.
With Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith now in France and others such as Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Ngatai, George Moala and Ryan Crotty injured, New Zealand’s supply of available midfield backs isn’t at its most plentiful. That’s not to denigrate Lienertbrown, more about underlining the speed of his ascension and the challenge of coping with tomorrow’s occasion.
But he’s a player All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen and defence coach Wayne Smith have rated since his days at Christchurch Boys’ High School.
‘‘He pointed himself out through his own performances,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘I’ve got a couple of kids at Boys’ High so you tend to know what’s happening there. Went there myself so, again, you tend to keep an eye on how the school’s going.
‘‘He had a pretty good first XV career and then went up to the Chiefs. Probably that was Smithy’s influence.
‘‘I don’t think someone like Anton’s going to go unnoticed. All of us knew who he was and that’s because of what he did on the playing field and that’s why he’s here.
‘‘He’s good enough to be here and now he gets an opportunity
"He’s good enough to be here and now he gets an opportunity probably a little earlier than he would’ve and we would’ve expected, but we’re very confident that he’ll go out and do the job." Steve Hansen on Anton Lienertbrown
probably a little earlier than he would’ve and we would’ve expected, but we’re very confident that he’ll go out and do the job.’’
Hansen’s sentiments were echoed by first five-eighth Beauden Barrett. Australia have named Bernard Foley opposite Lienertbrown, but the All Blacks have no fear the debutant won’t hold his own.
Barret said second-fives were critical to the success of any No 10 with their talk and vision and the new boy had quickly shown himself to be able in those departments.
‘‘There’s no doubt we’ve a meeting or two to get on the same page,’’ Barrett said.
‘‘I mean it’s only his second week in camp so a lot of things are new to him. It’s very exciting for him and I just encourage him to go out and play footy, not think too much. The two trainings we’ve had this week he’s been great.’
Outside Lienert-brown, Israel Dagg and Ben Smith have swapped roles. Smith goes from right wing to fullback, with Dagg going in the opposite direction.
Barrett joked that Dagg was just about quick enough to play on the wing and Hansen is definitely curious to find out.
‘‘We’ve seen the combination round the other way working well,’’ said Hansen.
‘‘Like both of them are worldclass fullbacks and Ben’s certainly a world class winger and we think we need to find out if Izzy can start a test there and do a job for us, because it opens up down the track other selection possibilities.’’