Crusaders prop eyes a big lift
Meet the Crusaders’ latest tighthead prop who enjoys few things more than lifting tin.
Fletcher Newell, one of four rookies in the Crusaders’ 38-man roster for 2021, might even give some of former All Black Owen Franks’ records at the team’s Rugby Park headquarters a nudge with time.
After all, the rookie Canterbury prop recently broke Blair Prinsep’s Crusaders academy squat record, lifting a whopping 255kg.
Newell, 20, was as modest as it gets when he spoke to media after earning his first Super Rugby contract, leaving Crusaders coach Scott Robertson to talk up the Rangiora
High School old boy.
Robertson praised his unrelenting work-rate and powerful scrummaging, something he expects assistant coach Ryan to hone.
He also pointed out how rare it was for a tighthead prop to be named the NZ Rugby age grade player of the year in 2019, an award usually snared by flashy tryscoring backs.
Newell and fellow rookies Chay Fihaki, Tamaiti Williams and Isaiah Punivai all came through the Crusaders academy, played for the champion Canterbury under19s last year, and just completed their first seasons with the red and blacks in the Mitre 10 Cup.
The selection of the 121kg Newell and 140kg Williams, both converted No 8s, means the Crusaders will take four specialist tightheads into next season. Michael Alaalatoa and Oli Jager are the veterans.
Jason
Newell was sure to pick Jager’s brain during Canterbury’s recent campaign, one which came with the type of lessons which will soon come thick and fast.
‘‘A big step up [this year] was that first game against North Harbour, scrummaging against Karl Tu’inukuafe, I learnt a lot from that,’’ Newell said.
‘‘It was a pretty awesome experience. Coming in as a young fella, you watch the guys on TV that have come before you.
‘‘A couple of the [Crusaders] boys have been around for quite a while, it’s just going to be awesome to learn off them. I can’t wait.’’
Fihaki shares the same excitement, having signed with the 11 times champions as a 19-yearold. He was schooled at Sacred Heart College in Auckland but moved to Christchurch a couple of years ago to join the academy.
The outside back, who also has the ability to play in the midfield, sunk his hometown in the final round of the Mitre 10 Cup season, when he drained a late long-range penalty to lift Canterbury to a 34-33 win.
‘‘Yeah, you don’t want to lose against your home town, especially knowing a couple of boys in that team, they would have ripped me out if I missed that kick. It was good to have one over them,’’ Fihaki said.
His parents this year followed the speedy and tall utility to Christchurch, where Robertson plans to unlock his potential.
‘‘A big [area if improvement] for me was around communication and stuff. Being a shy kid off the field, just trying to talk more on the field,’’ Fihaki said.
The bulk of the Crusaders will start training on January 11, before the All Blacks join them in the second week of February.
The Tri-Nations wrapped up on Saturday with a 16-16 draw between the Wallabies and Los Pumas to guarantee that the All Blacks won the abbreviated tournament.
The All Blacks’ record of two wins and two losses reflected the tightness of the competition, however, with a 25-15 defeat to Argentina highlighting some areas of vulnerability.
A big win against a weakened Argentine side made sure the All Blacks finished on a high note, but the All Blacks certainly didn’t dominate against the sides ranked No 6 and No 8 in the world.
Here is Stuff’s Team of the TriNations.
15 Beauden Barrett (All Blacks):
The jury might still be out on the dual playmaker system but Barrett had good games in the wins against Australia and Argentina and gets the nod in a close race with Santiago Carreras.
14 Bautista Delguy (Argentina):
Elusive wing finished off his tournament with a great try against the Wallabies and frequently beat the first defender with his footwork.
13 Matias Orlando (Argentina):
The rock in the Pumas’ midfield. He was missing when the All Blacks beat the South Americans 38-0, which is probably no coincidence.
12 Anton Lienert-Brown (All Blacks):
Played the tournament at No 13 but is too good to leave out due to his consistency.
11 Caleb Clarke (All Blacks):
Enjoyed an exceptional rookie season in test rugby and consistently gave the All Blacks momentum with his carries.
10 Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina):
Has never played better. The No 10 looked fit, focused and in control as he led the Pumas around the paddock and did his bit on defence. Scored all 25 points in the win against the All Blacks.
9 Aaron Smith (All Blacks):
His absence was keenly felt when the All Blacks lost to the Wallabies in Brisbane and looked