Canty’s depth shines through
Defending the Ranfurly Shield is one thing, doing it with a bunch of unheralded players is another.
That was one of the most pleasing aspects for Canterbury coach Glenn Delaney, after a barely recognisable red and black outfit flogged Wanganui 71-5 on Wednesday night.
In a demonstration of the ridiculous depth in Canterbury rugby, a whopping 10 players debuted for the defending Mitre 10 Cup champions at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium.
Just two Crusaders – lock Mitch Dunshea and pop Oli Jager – were in the match-day 23, which was otherwise made up of the best performing Christchurch club rugby players. Stand up, they did.
So much so, Delaney has plenty to ponder ahead of his team’s second Shield defence, against Mid Canterbury in Ashburton on August 4, and the NPC.
Depending on the fortunes of the Kiwi teams in the Super Rugby playoffs, Delaney could have a bunch of reinforcements available for the match.
‘‘They could do, but there is a fairly compelling case for the guys that played [on Wednesday],’’ Delaney said when asked if any Super Rugby players would come into contention to play Mid Canterbury.
‘‘They’ve [Wednesday’s team] certainly given us a lot to think about. Hey, what becomes available, we’re out of control of. What we know is we’ve got a really good group here that can build forward.’’
Canterbury will take the next fortnight off, before resuming weekly trainings ahead of the allCanterbury Ranfurly Shield match. Delaney and the 13 other Mitre 10 Cup coaches will name their official squads for the upcoming NPC after Super Rugby wraps up (August 5).
Targeting a 14th NPC title, and third on the bounce, Canterbury will welcome back plenty of firepower, including loose forwards Matt Todd and Luke Whitelock, pivot Richie Mo’unga, halfback Mitch Drummond and wing George Bridge. But a bunch of unheralded players did the red and black jersey proud on Wednesday night.
Fullback Mark Maitland and reserve back Caleb Makene both crossed for tries on debut, while rookie first-five eighth Brett Cameron kicked 17 points (8/10).
Replacement pivot Finn Strawbridge also came on and kicked a couple of conversions in Canterbury’s 133rd Log o’ Wood defence.
Delaney was thrilled with Dunshea and fellow lock Hamish Dalzell, and also praised midfielders Michael Green and Poasa Waqanibau.
‘‘Their connections are the things I’m happiest about,’’ Delaney said.
‘‘Guys build combinations and built those into the game and gave us a little profit at the end of it.’’
Delaney also singled out Cameron, the former First XV and First XI captain of Cullinane College in Wanganui. ‘‘The thing I’ve been really impressed with him is he gets the ball through his hands nice and quick,’’ Delaney said. ‘‘He’s not a player who takes time out of the game. He knows the assets he’s got outside and he’s really keen to use them.’’