Lee-Lo’s walkout hits the Canes
RUGBY
MARK HAMMETT’S face might have lost some colour when Rey Lee-Lo advised his days at the Hurricanes were over.
In July the buoyant Hurricanes coach proclaimed: ‘‘We’ve had a 3-2-1 voting system among the players and I think he’s [Lee-Lo] always been in the points, so that gives a real indication of how his peers see him and how he’s been going.’’
Yet, around a month later, the midfielder had walked out on him.
While Hurricanes coach Hammett was praising Lee-Lo, now 26, everyone was also applauding his organisation for introducing him to Super Rugby.
Having done all the legwork, however, the Wellington-based franchise inexplicably sat on their hands.
The Crusaders then signed him to a two-year deal.
‘‘It [the Crusaders] was the first contract that came my way and it’s all about looking after my family,’’ Lee-Lo said this week.
‘‘At that stage they [the Hurricanes] hadn’t offered anything.’’
Lee-Lo was no pup by professional rugby standards but the Canes had seen the potential in the hard-running midfielder from Counties Manukau, who later proved capable at either second five-eighth or centre when skipper Conrad Smith wasn’t available.
Then it was the Crusaders’ turn to receive a nasty shock.
The arrival of Lee-Lo meant the Crusaders could relegate Robbie Fruean into their wider training group to allow him to continue his recovery from his heart operation.
But Todd Blackadder has had to absorb some unappetising news.
Fruean, not offered a full contract by the Crusaders, accepted a more lucrative deal with the Chiefs and this week was named in their squad.
Even Lee-Lo seemed surprised to hear of Fruean’s departure.
‘‘When I found out I was shocked too. He’s been here for the past few years. I guess it is another opportunity for me to fight for that starting spot or the 22 if I am good enough.’’
Until surgery was required to replace his heart valve in July, Fruean, since joining the Crusaders in 2009, had been a regular at centre.
Listed at 96kg, Lee-Lo may give away about 8kg to the physically imposing Fruean. However, the latter’s inability to retain a high workrate because of his heart issues meant he was often left gasping for air.
Lee-Lo’s ability to complete games, combined with a knack of offloading in the tackle and penetrate defences mean he should be a useful addition. Other contenders for the No 12 and 13 spots are Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock and Tom Taylor. The latter is more of a five-eighth or fullback and in the latter stages of this season par- tnered Crotty in the midfield.
There has been no shortage of specialist midfield coaching for Lee-Lo in recent times.
Tana Umaga boosted his confidence at Counties Manukau and Alama Ieremia mentored him at the Hurricanes. Aaron Mauger and Tabai Matson, both ex-All Blacks midfielders, will guide him at the Crusaders.
After flying down briefly for the Crusaders’ squad announcement this week Lee-Lo will return later this month for pre-season training. In the New Year he will bring his partner and two daughters down, having no doubt warned them about the brisk easterly wind that can plague Christchurch.
‘‘I asked Jimmy Tupou about it [living in Christchurch] and he just said it was cold and stuff. I hopped off the plane and thought ‘wow, I better get my jumper on’. But it’s all good.’’