When all is said and done, Canterbury are still the team to beat.
Canterbury have won the national title for an unprecedented six consecutive years but they face an extra challenge this year after losing some of their stalwarts. BRENT EDWARDS reports.
The Big Picture
Is it the impossible dream? Seven consecutive national titles. Time will tell but Canterbury face an immense challenge to continue their extraordinary dynasty this year.
It’s almost at the stage where fans have forgotten when any province other than Canterbury ( for the record, it was Auckland in 2007) have won the national championship. They are invariably affected most by the absence of their leading players, they often are a little slow out of the blocks but, almost as night follows day, they are there at the business end of the championship.
The abiding memory after Canterbury beat Wellington 29- 13 in the final last year is of the players planting a flag in the middle of Westpac Stadium and of coach Scott Robertson break- dancing around the celebratory huddle. They won 10 of their 12 games, scored 456 points to 202 and 59 tries to 20. Tyler Bleyendal scored 117 points and wing Milton Keresoma scored eight tries.
Robertson is in his second season as head coach and Jason Holland is again his assistant but the successful captain of recent times, George Whitelock, is off to Japan. And they will also be without Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Jordan Taufua and others.
Much will depend on how much game time they are able to get out of less- established All Blacks including Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Dominic Bird and others.
But there is still enough quality and experience to ensure Canterbury will be there or thereabouts at the end.
This is the time for the likes of Tom Taylor, Patrick Osborne, Johnny McNicholl, Nasi Manu, Joel Everson, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody and Ben Funnell to step up and lead the drive to continue the legacy. But Robertson and Holland will still have gaps to fill. Robertson is steeped in Canterbury rugby. The former 23- test All Black flanker played 69 games for the Cantabs and 86 for the Crusaders. Holland established his credentials last year after a representative career with Taranaki and Manawatu, and 102 caps ( and coaching experience) with Munster in Ireland.
Rising St ar
Lock Scott Barrett is another of the famous Barrett clan from Taranaki making his mark in the national game. Barrett is studying at Lincoln University and has represented New Zealand Under 20 and the Crusaders ( briefly) this year. Tall, extremely athletic and skilled, he can also play on the blindside flank. He is strong in physical contact and is regarded as having immense potential. Shapes as yet another of the quality locks to emerge from Canterbury and could join Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Dominic Bird in the full Crusaders squad next year if he has a strong season.
Vision Statement It has obviously been a great few years for Canterbury rugby and we want to continue that. It is important as coaches that we can get the players to perform at their optimum level. We will just be looking to build on what we achieved last year. We have a great environment at Canterbury and that has been one of the keys to the success that has been achieved. We’ve just got to be better if we are to stay at or near the top. That is the challenge. Head coach Scott Robertson
Old Dog
Halfback Willi Heinz has shared the limelight with Ellis for Canterbury and the Crusaders in recent years but will have the stage to himself this season with the promising Mitchell Drummond as his understudy. Has been an integral part of the Canterbury machine since 2009 and will be a key man this season. Extremely competitive and has a fine understanding of the game. Has tended to fly under the radar for Canterbury and the Crusaders but he is a quality all- round halfback with few weaknesses in his play.
New Arrivals
There have been no big name signings for this season with Canterbury promoting from within the region. Two names to keep an eye on in addition to Barrett are props Daniel Lienert- Brown and Alex Hodgman. There will be some familiar faces missing this year. They include captain Whitelock and Ellis ( Japan), hooker Flynn and prop Paea Fa’anunu ( France), lock Luke Katene ( Waikato), blindside flanker Taufua ( Counties- Manukau) and Jamie Verran ( Southland).