Aussie answers Crusaders’ SOS
Hugh Roach had no idea where his next pay cheque would come from a week ago.
That was before Crusaders assistant coach Andrew Goodman called the Sydney-based 27-year-old and said the reigning champions wanted him on deck.
The former Waratahs and Rebels hooker jumped at the chance. He landed in Christchurch last Friday night and went directly to Orangetheory Stadium to watch the Crusaders host the Reds.
Now, with Codie Taylor on an All Blacks rest week and Andrew Makalio sidelined with a calf injury, Roach will come off the bench against the Sun wolves in Brisbane tomorrow evening.
‘‘I honestly never thought I’d be playing in any team in New Zealand, let alone the Crusaders,’’ Roach said.
‘‘It’s obviously a fantastic club with great history. And I just want to do everything I can to earn the respect of the players, management and hopefully the fans at one point.’’
Roach, a member of the Waratahs when they beat the Crusaders in the 2014 final, was meant to be in England playing for London Irish.
However, the club released him from his contract due to a foot injury, which he has been rehabilitating in Sydney in pursuit of his next opportunity.
Roach can thank his connection with Goodman for his lifeline, given he played under him last year, when he helped the Tasman Mako win their maiden provincial title.
‘‘It is great. I’ve only been here a few days so I can’t comment too much on the environment and culture too much now, but what I can say is it just does feel like a family here and people are looking out for each other.
‘‘For me, coming in new and not knowing any calls, to scrub up in a couple of days, it’s a credit to the players and how they deal with new players coming in.’’
Roach is a former Australian Schoolboys and under-20s representative and amassed 41 caps for the Waratahs between 2013-18, before fronting for the Rebels eight times last year.
‘‘I never thought I’d play for a New Zealand team, so to bring up a half a ton and raise the bat – for the Crusaders – is pretty cool.’’
Roach’s inclusion in the playing 23 for the match, which was moved from Tokyo to Brisbane due to the on-going Covid-19 outbreak, is one of a stack of changes coach Scott Robertson has made.
In addition to Taylor sitting out the match, fellow All Blacks Joe Moody, captain Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga and Jack Goodhue have all been given the week off.
It completes loosehead prop Moody’s All Blacks rest requirements (two weeks off), while six of the other seven representatives are halfway. Only wing Sevu Reece hasn’t yet had a spell.
Halfback Bryn Hall will skipper the side, while 20-year-old first fiveeighth Fergus Burke, a former New Zealand under-20s representative, is set to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
He will backup one-test All Black Brett Cameron, who has failed to flatter in the limited opportunities he’s been provided the past two years, including during a rare – and rough – start against the Waratahs last year.
‘‘It’s a tricky position, the reserve first-five. You sit on the bench a lot and we know it was tough for Mitch Hunt, as well. When you’ve got a great first-five, normally they’re the last person [substituted] off,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘His confidence levels have been great at training. He’s owned the week. Richie is not around so it’s his [team] to drive. He’s been superb, now it’s for him to perform on the field.’’
There has also been a reshuffle in the loose forwards, with outstanding rookie Cullen Grace shifting from blindside flanker to No 8 to accommodate Sione Havili.
Whetukamokamo Douglas has recovered from breaking two fingers on one hand last month and has been named on the bench.