Todd tops for Crusaders team
Matt Todd has been named the Crusaders’ player of the year.
If anyone disputes the wisdom of that call it’s possibly because they are biased, have misplaced their medication, or possess the vision of a corpse.
It was a fair, and just, decision for the Crusaders management to bestow the honour upon the openside flanker when the club held its awards ceremony in Christchurch last night.
The 30 year old breakdown terrier has been one of the best No 7s in Super Rugby this year, and epitomised his commitment to the title holders’ cause by playing with a broken hand in the opening rounds.
Todd has made 13 starts for the Crusaders this year, played in almost every second of the each fixture and scored four tries.
The good news for the Crusaders is that he has re-signed a deal that will see him return to the club next year.
But first Todd must complete a shortterm stint with Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights, who are coached by Robbie Deans.
Despite Todd’s regal form for the Crusaders, and the fact he had been Sam Cane’s understudy in the latter part of the All Blacks’ season last year, the national selectors picked Ardie Savea as Cane’s deputy when the squad to play France in June was named.
It was a call that was greeted with disbelief from those who have trucked along to AMI Stadium in Christchurch to watch the Crusaders man in the black helmet repeatedly overshadow his opponents in games this year.
Todd’s supporters were justifiably miffed at the selection of Savea ahead of their No 7 for the All Blacks, although their annoyance was tempered to some degree by the fact that the Crusaders fetcher was invited to join the test squad as injury cover and then replaced an injured Savea early in the third test against Les Bleus in Dunedin.
Todd’s chances of getting another game for the All Blacks this year appear remote.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said that if Savea is still troubled by the ankle injury he copped in the test in Dunedin, he may see if Todd is available for the two Bledisloe Cup games against the Wallabies next month.
Hansen said Todd wasn’t initially wanted by the All Blacks because of the heavy workload he has ahead of him with the Crusaders, who will play the Blues on Saturday night and then host a quarterfinal the following weekend, and the Wild Knights.
As we have seen from Todd in the past, however, he has never been the sort of player to drop a gear because of a busy calendar. Let’s hope we see more of him in black ahead of the World Cup next year.
Meanwhile, another back rower, Ethan Blackadder, was named Crusaders rookie of the year.
Blackadder, the son of former coach and team captain Todd, has made three Super Rugby appearances and quickly displayed some of his father’s traits in terms of tenacity and workrate.
Hooker Codie Taylor was named Champion Crusader of the year, an award voted for by the team and presented to the player whose off-field contribution is just as influential as the work he does on the paddock.