Christie christened as starting halfback

Finlay Christie has now been given the nod as first-choice All Black halfback to start the international season by three former greats.

The popular pick as the new All Black No 9, Cam Roigard, suffered a knee injury in the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night which could lead to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said Roigard – who was part of the New Zealand squad at last year’s World Cup – may have suffered a patella tendon injury. If it is ruptured, as suspected, it could rule Roigard out of rugby for six months.

Roigard was seen on crutches on Sunday and will visit a specialist in Auckland today to assess the damage to his left knee.

The All Blacks will start their 2024 campaign – under new coach Scott Robertson – with a two-test series against England in Dunedin on July 6, and Auckland’s Eden Park a week later.

Robertson was already going to be without the services of long-term first-choice halfback Aaron Smith, who retired after New Zealand’s defeat in the 2023 World Cup final to South Africa.

Speaking on The Breakdown show on Sky Sport, former All Blacks John Kirwan, Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina all singled out Blues No 9 Christie as their first-choice to start for the national side against England if Roigard’s injury ruled him out.

Christie came off the bench to replace Smith in the final in Paris last October, while many All Blacks fans felt Roigard should have been on the bench as Smith’s backup.

But Wilson said Christie’s allround ability would serve the All Blacks well under Robertson, who has taken over the coaching reins from Ian Foster.

“You know what you're going to get. He holds his form,” Wilson said of Christie.

“Now, it might not be spectacular, he might not do the brilliant things – but the fundamentals, the competitiveness, the accuracy you need out of him ... [his] kicking game's good, passing game is good.’’

“I think he's spectacular because of all the things you mentioned,” Kirwan replied.

“He doesn't really have a weakness – he can defend, he's got a really good pass, he can kick, he can dart when he needs to, and he's our current incumbent. I'd have no trouble if he started as our test halfback.’’