Halfback keen to stay
Convincing Bryn Hall to stick around Christchurch mightn’t be too difficult.
For various reasons, luring professional rugby players to the city is more complex than slapping down a contract, coughing warm air on the ink and ordering a flat white to celebrate.
The rebuild in Christchurch’s central precinct is slowly taking shape, but the nightlife cannot be compared to that offered in Auckland and Wellington and the ‘‘temporary’’ stadium in Addington, likely to be home for the Crusaders until around 2022, will never be one of the great arenas.
Then there is the issue of trying to squeeze in the players under the salary cap of around $4.6 million, a task complicated by having so many All Blacks, who under the collective agreement, can be paid a maximum retainer of $195,000.
Crusaders halfback Hall, who will start against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday night, is determined to stay.
Last year he signed a one-year deal with the Crusaders after four seasons at the Blues, a move that coincided with Andy Ellis calling time at the Crusaders and Augi Pulu switching from the Chiefs to the Blues.
‘‘I have really enjoyed my time here and if I get the opportunity to come back, I will. I am loving it, it’s probably the best decision I have made,’’ Hall said of his move to Christchurch.
‘‘More so, just the freshness … And it is a different experience to be able to win back to back and get a good roll on. Hopefully we can keep it going.’’
It makes sense to be positive about the transfer. The Crusaders remain unbeaten, and if they bowl the Rebels at AAMI Stadium they will secure their 13th consecutive win.
Hall didn’t say it, but if there was one thing he would prefer it would surely be to start more games in the No 9 jersey.
Much like Robbie Deans did in 2007, when he rotated halfbacks Kevin Senio and Ellis on a regular basis, head coach Scott Robertson has elected to regularly play swapsies with Mitchell Drummond and Hall.
Initially the policy raised eyebrows. The popular belief is a halfback and first five-eighth need time together to bed in their combination, but playmaker Richie Mo’unga and his deputy Mitchell Hunt haven’t suffered.
Hall has made 11 appearances, earning five starts. Drummond has taken the field 11 times, starting on seven occasions.
Against the Rebels, Hall gets a rare chance to be in the run-on side on consecutive weekends. Assistant backs coach Brad Mooar has told Hall and Drummond is up to them to prove they deserve repeat starts.
‘‘It rewards the player who is going well,’’ Hall said.
‘‘Brad has been pretty clear with us; whoever is playing really, really well, basing it on form, he is going to go with that person.
‘‘Continuity-wise you want the back-to-back games and this is an opportunity to have another crack. I like it. If you train well and play well, you get the rewards.’’
Usually the starting No 9 is replaced without around 25 to 30 minutes remaining. Last weekend Hall played around 50 minutes in the 31-24 win over the Chiefs in Suva, running just under 7km.
‘‘It varies in some games, but I guess with the aspect of playing 50 minutes you can kind of go hard and then know your mate is going to come on and finish the job.’’
Robertson has made 10 changes to the side that started against the Chiefs, but has still be able to list four All Blacks. Former Manawatu halfback Nic Stirzaker will lead the Rebels from halfback.
‘‘He is quite an electric sort of player, and quite chirpy as us halfbacks can be,’’ Hall noted. ‘‘A good player.’’
Melbourne have named Reece Hodge to take on the Crusaders with the Wallabies’ centre still to pass a concussion test for Saturday night’s clash.
The 22-year-old was knocked out in the opening minutes of the Rebels’ heavy last-round loss to the NSW Waratahs and must still be given a medical clearance to play.