Blackadder casts off a few worries
Reformed Guildford gets chance
Reprieved Crusader Zac Guildford has no doubt what it was that earned him his All Black recall in Auckland yesterday.
‘‘Just staying out of trouble was the main thing,’’ said the 23-year-old as he arrived into the team’s North Shore hotel yesterday among a sizeable Crusaders contingent.
Guildford had not been named initially in the 35-strong extended squad to go through their paces in the first of two training camps ahead of next month’s threetest series against the Irish.
New national coach Steve Hansen had said Guildford’s much publicised off-field problems of 2011, culminating in his post-world Cup drunken rampage in Rarotonga, had not been the reason for his initial omission.
But it certainly had not helped his cause. However with Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Cory Jane (high ankle sprain) both ruled out for the Irish tests, Hansen had to have a rethink. He was left with Wellington tyro Julian Savea as his only out and out wing specialist.
‘‘I knew if I worked hard and kept out of trouble and did the right things on the field, eventually it would come,’’ Guildford said yesterday.
‘‘But I’m very grateful to have the opportunity again.’’
Guildford said he knew he was bound for the camp before Saturday night’s explosive performance for the Crusaders at AMI Stadium, where the speedster was a prominent part of an impressive backline display.
‘‘I got the call Friday but kept it pretty quiet,’’ he said. ‘‘It was just good to put a performance on board last night and this was a bonus.’’
Hansen said he hadn’t been directly monitoring Guildford’s behaviour this year, but expected it to be exemplary now.
‘‘That’s been a Crusaders issue, and all the information I’ve had is that he’s been very good.
‘‘We just expect him to continue that.’’
Meanwhile Crusaders assistant coach Daryl Gibson sauntered up to Guildford last week and asked: ‘‘Do you need a rev-up?’’
Having replied in the negative Guildford promised he was eager to atone for his mediocre performance during the previous weekend’s deflating 28-19 loss to the Rebels.
What Crusaders backs coach Gibson, and Hansen, got in return was a cracking riposte from the left wing during Saturday night’s 59-12 record shellacking of Blues at AMI Stadium.
‘‘Gibbo (Gibson) asked me if I needed a rev-up or a bit of a bullet, and I said: ‘No, no I have got it’,’’ Guildford said.
‘‘But I realised I hadn’t been playing well and did everything I could during the week.
‘‘I had a good talk to Gibbo during the week and obviously Toddy (Blackadder) gave us a good serve, which
the inspired us to play better.’’
Dan Carter’s tender groin, which had generated so much debate over the last fortnight, passed its examination when he kicked six conversions.
His punting in general play never lacked depth and the backline hummed with the experienced playmaker back in control.
‘‘It was probably the most comfortable I have felt this year,’’ Carter said afterwards. Recently re-signed coach Todd Blackadder has several compelling reasons to be without complaint this week.
Having watched his side beat the Blues by a record 59-12 in Saturday night’s Super match at AMI Stadium, Crusaders boss Blackadder can sweep the previous weekend’s nightmare loss to the Rebels from his mind.
If that defeat darkened Blackadder’s disposition, then it should be all sunshine and happiness over the bye week before his men confront the Highlanders in Christchurch on June 1.
It is not just agreeing terms with the New Zealand Rugby Union, which has extended his Crusaders contract until the end of 2013, which will have him feeling so chipper.
The ruthless win over the Blues confirms what Blackadder has suspected all along. For the last three months he has preached this team are capable of playing triple-a rugby and at the weekend they proved those words were not hollow.
Last month’s wins over the Stormers and Hurricanes were memorable for differing reasons (mainly because they executed the contrasting game plans so well), but it was the way everything clicked that proved so compelling in the win over the Blues.
Five tries before halftime and another four after the break, dynamite passes that stuck, Dan Carter in magnificent form at first five-eighth and kicking goals, a scrum that intimidated and then embarrassed their opponents and a back row that overshadowed their opposites.
This was also a result achieved without their star player, No 8 Kieran Read, who did not play because of a sore pelvis. He will be available to face the Highlanders.
‘‘I think we will all sleep a little better tonight,’’ Blackadder said after the triumph over the Blues.
Blackadder’s contract extension means that by the end of 2013 he will have been in charge of the Crusaders for five seasons.
It also coincides with the expiry date of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen’s deal. Hansen is about to begin his two-year tenure and will next year attempt to persuade the NZRU to stretch it through to the 2015 World Cup.
Blackadder also denied reports the Crusaders were chasing Blues midfielder Ma’a Nonu.
‘‘We haven’t been talking to him, so I don’t know where that has come from.’’