Razor: We wanted to keep Hunt
If Scott Robertson had his way Mitch Hunt would still be a Crusader.
But the pivot made a ‘‘professional decision’’ to leave the Christchurch-based franchise for the Highlanders this season, despite having snared three Super Rugby crowns in four years with the red and blacks.
‘‘Mitch is someone we’d loved to have had in our group, but he’s got aspirations to be an All Black and he felt his opportunity was to start with the Highlanders,’’ Crusaders head coach Robertson said.
‘‘We’ve got a quality 10 with Richie [Mo’unga] . . . we had a lot of conversations around it and he [Hunt] did the right thing for himself and his career.’’
Hunt will run out in the blue and gold of the Highlanders against his former team for the first time tomorrow when the Dunedin-based side hosts the Crusaders in its final pre-season hitout in Wanaka.
The 24-year-old played 42 matches for the Crusaders and did a fine job filling the void when Mo’unga broke his hand in the season-opener in 2017, and again when he busted his jaw early in the 2018 season.
Hunt became renowned for his clutch performances, kicking a last-ditch penalty against the Reds in 2017, and bagging a converted try to salvage a draw on the final whistle against the Sharks in Christchurch last year.
But nothing topped his dramatic 43m drop goal after the hooter to sink the Highlanders 25-22 in Christchurch in 2017.
‘‘We miss Mitch around the place. He’s a great mate for a lot of our players here and a really good man. We miss his good banter, so it’s going to be strange [playing against him],’’ Robertson said.
‘‘We know him well. He’s got great feet and he’s a clutch player.’’
After Brett Cameron was a surprise inclusion in an extended All Blacks squad in 2018, Hunt temporarily slipped behind Cameron in the pecking order last year.
However, Hunt was the firstchoice backup down the stretch and went on to make 13 appearances (one start) as the Crusaders rolled to a third straight title last July.
Rookie Fergus Burke, a New Zealand under-20 and Canterbury representative, has taken Hunt’s spot in the squad but Cameron will go into the season as
At a glance
Highlanders v Crusaders
When: Tomorrow, 6pm
Where: Wanaka Showgrounds
Crusaders: David Havili (c), Will Jordan, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Faingaanuku, Brett Cameron, Mitchell Drummond, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Isi Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Manasa Mataele, Harry Allan, Luke Romano, Fetuli Paea.
Mo’unga’s deputy.
Cameron, who tossed an intercept pass in last weekend’s 40-19 pre-season win against the Hurricanes in Ashburton, has appeared to struggle for confidence since a forgettable night at the office against the Waratahs in Sydney last year.
However, Robertson is confident he is on track to finding his feet at Super Rugby level.
‘‘Brett just needs game-time. He’s getting more and more confidence. [Assistant coach] Scott Hansen is going to be great for him, he’ll get the best out of him.’’
Cameron will start at first fiveeighth in Wanaka, where fullback David Havili will captain the side in his first pre-season appearance, and will finish the match at second-five eighth as the Crusaders test combinations.
Openside flanker Billy Harmon picked up a medial ligament strain last week against the Hurricanes and is expected to be sidelined for four-six weeks.