TIME TO HIT BACK
Chris Barclay sees this Canterbury side as good enough to hit back after a mediocre 2020, but how far can it go in the Premiership playoffs?
The painters who stencilled Canterbury’s provincial rugby titles to two floodlight poles at Orangetheory Stadium are faced with glossing over an embarrassing miscalculation – it appears they did not leave enough space for the women’s accomplishments.
yes, it is the Farah Palmer Cup squad that is running out of space on an escalating honour roll that unfortunately illuminates the blokes’ inability to regenerate a period of dominance engineered by rob Penney in 2008.
Penney produced four successive titles with scott Robertson as an offsider. Robertson then completed his apprenticeship successfully under Tabai Matson in 2012 and then assumed the top job, overseeing winning campaigns in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
now reuben Thorne, another of Canterbury’s favourite sons, is tasked with rejuvenating a Canterbury side that has not won since robertson’s successor glenn Delaney’s oneseason wonder in 2017.
Thorne and fellow co-coach Mark brown experienced a galling first season in charge last year, where surrendering the Log o’ wood to Taranaki (23-22) didn’t rate as the low point of the campaign, even if sales of a limited edition ranfurly shield-styled jersey sunk.
Canterbury’s inability to close out close games – it also suffered one-point losses to Hawke’s Bay and Waikato – was perplexing, while a 44-8 thumping by bay of Plenty in Tauranga was plain humiliating.
Throw in a home defeat to Otago – which scored the match-winner in the 72nd minute – and Canterbury was at risk of relegation to the second-tier Championship for the first time since the format was introduced.
It ultimately maintained its Premiership status, ironically by claiming a cliffhanger, after surprisingly blanking eventual champion Tasman 29-0 in blenheim.
Chay Fihaki probably extended Thorne and brown’s tenure into 2021 after his long-range penalty pipped Auckland 34-33 in the final game of the regular season.
Canterbury finished fifth, missing the semifinals for the first time since 2006.
Admittedly, this title drought is nowhere near record levels – those barren years spanning 1984 to 1997 – but expectations are invariably high, particularly as the Crusaders and the women are a rich source of provincial pride.
realistically though, Canterbury’s prospects in 2021 in an ultra-competitive division should be tempered – unless this squad is adept at holding its composure, more often than not, when contests go down to the wire.
There is certainly enough nous on deck through the likes of halfback Mitchell Drummond – a habitual winner in super rugby – 2020 All Black Cullen Grace, former Crusaders flanker Billy Harmon, a standout at the Highlanders this year, captain reed Prinsep and durable veteran lock Luke romano.
Canterbury is proud of nurturing its own talent through the academy and club competition – 26 of the 30-strong squad graduated from one or both of those systems, though there are two notable exceptions to the rule.
Former All blacks wing waisake naholo convinced medical staff he has recovered from a long-term knee injury that hampered his time with London Irish.
The 30-year-old rugby world Cup and super rugby titlewinner played for the Highlanders and Taranaki until heading to the uk. He bolsters an outside back unit featuring overseasbound duo Manasa Mataele (western Force), Josh Mckay (glasgow warriors), Fihaki and rookie Cam bailey.
samoan international no 8 Henry stowers is the other import: the 25-year-old made his super rugby debut for the western Force last year and was also drafted into the brumbies as injury cover this season. stowers, who headed to Christchurch after the World Cup qualifiers against Tonga, fills the void left by Whetukamokamo Douglas, while first choice no 8 grace will use the competition to strengthen his claims for an All blacks recall.
The pack, so long the bedrock of Canterbury’s success, again looks strong with young lock sam Darry expected to show the benefits of a Super Rugby season with the Blues.
up front, Tamaiti williams and Fletcher newell were blooded by the Crusaders this year, while veteran Oli Jager is joined by fellow Irishman Conan O’donnell, who has logged super rugby game time with the sunwolves and Highlanders.
with brett Cameron back home in the Manawatu before a Japanese stint, Fergus Burke is the first choice No 10; Dallas Mcleod is the experienced midfielder, although perhaps Braydon ennor might feature at some point, All blacks selectors willing.
One of Drummond’s back-ups is returning home – Christchurchborn Jono Kitto, a new Zealand under 20s representative in 2012, has previously played for bay of Plenty, Leicester (under thencoach Aaron Mauger), Harlequins and worcester.
‘Admittedly, this title drought is nowhere near record levels – those barren years spanning 1984 to 1997 – but expectations are invariably high, particularly as the Crusaders and the women are a rich source of provincial pride.’
Injuries are already an issue, with openside Tom Christie (shoulder) and lock Mitchell Dunshea (neck) unavailable.
Harmon will shoulder the load at no 7 with Tom sanders no longer in the squad, while High school Old boys captain Mitch gibson (brother of blake) and another promising loose forward, Liam Allen, provide depth.
While there may not be many All Blacks on the field, one has joined the coaching team – two-test centre Casey Laulala is one of two new assistants alongside former bay of Plenty attack coach Marty bourke, who returns to new Zealand after a stint in Major League rugby in new york.
Mitch Drummond controls much of the Canterbury tempo.