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'He's another one that has to be on the radar': The 'big body' Crusader making a case for All Blacks selection

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The Crusaders’ 26-25 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton put the side’s recent form under the spotlight, after a hard-fought golden point victory against the last-placed Hurricanes the week before, the defending champs have only won one from their last three starts.

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The side was constantly under the pump as the Chiefs stood up and controlled proceedings, not giving the Crusaders much of an opportunity to spend time with the ball.

That put the rejigged Crusaders pack under pressure to get through a huge workrate in defence, but one man who impressed former Blues hooker James Parsons was the makeshift openside flanker, Tom Sanders, who was filling in for Sione Havili Talitui.

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“The man that played 7 in the opposition, who’s not a usual 7, was exceptional,” Parsons said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “Bryn, you guys must have been rapt.

“You guys must have wanted a big body in there, he definitely got around the field, but also made his presence felt on the night, this is Tom Sanders I’m obviously talking about.”

Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, who came on towards the end of the game off the bench, said that Sanders has been training the house down to recover from his injury last year and his performance was ‘exceptional’ in a losing side against the Chiefs.

“He was exceptional. For a guy that had such a great season last year and was rewarded with the South team, to unfortunately have that injury and not being able to regain that form and play footy, he’s come back roaring,” Hall said.

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“He did his due diligence around his recovery. He was a ‘hundy’ around training, he’s one of those guys that always put you on edge.

The Crusaders loose forward finished with 15 tackles and two turnovers along with seven carries in attack, but Hall highlighted his work off the ball securing the Crusaders ruck as crucial.

“It’s a position he hasn’t played a lot, but on the weekend he had a great couple of good steals, and big moments, and his work rate off-the-ball around the park as well. You talk about breakdowns, he was great at our breakdown getting quick ball being that bigger body.

“He’d a great game and fingers crossed he can stay injury-free, because he’s been great for us in the last 12 months, and when he’s been injury-free he’s had some great performances for us.”

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Parsons claimed that the 27-year-old ‘has to be on the radar’ for higher honours with the All Blacks, highlighting his big performance in the North vs South game against the best players in the country and now coming back from injury and performing at the same level.

“He’s another one that has to be on the radar as well, because of that performance in that North versus South game.

“He was put in that environment, and he had a big game that night. And now, after another injury, he’s come back and performed out of position. That is a big statement in itself,” Parsons said.

Crusaders teammate Bryn Hall said that the versatility that Sanders has shown can give him an edge, as All Blacks’ selectors look for players who can cover multiple positions.

“I think it is. The fact that you know he can play 6, he’s played 8 for us as well, and now that opportunity to play 7, all three positions. We talk about squad members and been able to pick on versatility, if he gets the chance to play 7 again and plays like that he has to be in the conversation,” Hall explained.

The All Blacks loose forward picture is congested, however, with Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Ardie Savea, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane and Shannon Frizell all in the squad last year, although the injury to captain Sam Cane does open up the spot for potentially one more loose forward this season.

Tom Sanders is one more option on the cusp along with Chiefs openside Lachlan Boshier and Hurricane Du’Plessis Kirifi, who was called into the squad as cover last year. The likes of Ethan Blackadder and Luke Jacobson have also impressed this year.

Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:

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David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Why is Joe Schmidt the best option for Australia? (LONG READ)


An essay for @OJohn with love from South Africa.


OJohn keeps banging on about kiwis and Saffers and everyone else seeking to undermine and bring down Australian rugby… Blah, Blah, Blah. It’s boring and not worth responding too 99 days out of 100.


He misses the point completely that Australians either are or are not the masters of their own destiny. So to blame anyone else but themselves for what the state of Australian rugby is in - is hypocritical.


But recently, Australia has shown signs of life. Personally, I always believed they would be back at some point. At the beginning of this year I predicted that the wallabies would bounce back this year. I predicted that they would overtake England in the world rankings. I am predicting that they could finish second in the RC, could win the Lions series and could make it to a RWC final at home.


I tend to get ahead of myself when I’m excited... Ask my wife. But forgive me for getting excited about the Wallabies looking good! Is it so bad?


Like OJohn, I believe that Australia’s lands abound with natures gifts, including athletic specimens across any sporting code the Aussies compete in. It’s one of the reasons most of us don’t like Aussies. They win sh1t. Regularly. And look smug when they do...


But back to OJohn. And his banging on about the need for Australia to have an Australian coach. Here are a few highlights of his argument:


Several times I've given a list of half a dozen Australian coaches who would be more Australian than Schmidt and just as successful.

Tell me which Australian coaches would be acceptable to coach the All Blacks ......?

Because South Africans and Kiwis and Welshmen and Scotsman are all s.... scared that if an immensely talented and athletic team like Australia is ever able to harness nationalistic Australian passion with an Australian coach, you'll all be s.c.r.e.w.e.d.


And then finally – the list of 6:


Ewen McKenzie, Less Kiss, Stephen Larkham, Jim McKay, David Nucifora, Scott Wisenthal, Ben Mowen, Rod Kafer, Mick Byrne, John Manetti, Jason Gilmore, Dan McKellar.

Plus, a special request:


Keep in mind Rod MacQueen never won a Super Rugby title before he was appointed Wallaby coach but he ended up the greatest rugby coach the world has ever seen. Better than Erasmus even. Who is probably the next best.

Right. I don’t care about the tinfoil hat theories. I want to assess OJohn’s list and determine whether any of them fit the mold of a Rod Macqueen.

 

Like Rod Macqueen the following world cup winning coaches never won a Super Rugby Title:


·       David Kirk, 1987 (17 appearances for New Zealand)

·       Kitch Kristie, 1995

·       Rod Macqueen, 1999

·       Clive Woodward, 2003 (21 Appearance for England)

·       Jake White, 2007 (School Teacher)

·       Graham Henry, 2011 (School Teacher)

·       Steve Hansen, 2015 (Policeman)

·       Rassie Erasmus, 2019 (36 Appearances for South Africa)

·       Jacques Nienaber, 2023 (Physiotherapist).


I couldn't find out what Rod or Kitch did other than coach.


The only coach who has won a Super title and a World Cup?

·       Bob Dwyer, 1991 (A Tahs man wouldn’t you know!)


In fact coaches that have won super rugby titles have not won world cups. Robbie Deans. Heyneke Meyer to name just two.


I know I’m being childish, but I needed to bring this list in somehow because it’s quite obvious that whatever these coaches did before they became international level coaches is largely immaterial. Or is it?


Interestingly Ewan McKenzie (A Tah Man!) has won a Super title. And despite being a Tah Man made it into OJohn’s list. That’s two strikes for Ewan Mckenzie based on OJohn’s criteria so far. Not to mention his 50% win rate as head coach of the Wallabies between 2013 and 2014 (and the laundry list of off the field fcuk ups that swirled around the team at the time).


So Ewan is out.


I find it interesting that, as we speak, eight out of the ten top ranked men’s teams are coached by former international players:

1.      South Africa, Rassie Erasmus (36 appearances for South Africa)

2.      Ireland, Andy Farrell (8 appearances for England)

3.      New Zealand, Scott Robertson (23 appearances for New Zealan)

4.      France, Fabien Galthie (64 appearances for France)

5.      Argentina, Felipe Contemponi (87 appearances for Argentina)

6.      Scotland, Gregor Townsend (82 appearances for Scotland)

7.      England, Steve Borthwick (57 appearances for England)

8.      Australia, Joe Schmidt (School Teacher)

9.      Fiji, Michael Byrne (Aussie Rules Player)

10.  Italy, Gonzalo Quesada (38 appearances for Argentina).


It would appear as though we have entered an era where successful international coaches, largely, have played rugby at international level in the professional era. Or are ex school teachers. Much like Jake White and Graham Henry! Or a policeman.

 

Back to OJohn’s List. That leaves us with:


·       Less Kiss, (I like the look of)

·       Stephen Larkham, (I like the look of)

·       Jim McKay, (Very little to write home about)

·       David Nucifora, (Too old)

·       Scott Wisenthal, (I literally can’t find anything on him on the Google).

·       Ben Mowen, (Too young, no coaching experience)

·       Rod Kafer, (No coaching experience)

·       Mick Byrne, (He’s coaching the Fijians, Aussie rules!)

·       John Manetti, (Can’t find him on the google)

·       Jason Gilmore, (Seems to be working through the ranks, coaching Wallabies A)

·       Dan McKellar, (Not much to write home about, but could be an option).


Applying some logic, I would say the following are viable options based on age, experience in coaching AND the fact that they have played rugby for Australia in the professional era:

·       Less Kiss, (I like the look of)

·       Stephen Larkham, (I like the look of)

·       Jason Gilmore, (Seems to be working through the ranks, coaching Wallabies A)


After having done all this research, I think it’s fair to say that none of these three have the same pedigree as Joe Schmidt, the teacher. Who took a sh1tty Ireland team to no.1. Won a few 6 Nations and helped get the All Blacks to a world cup final in 2023.


Joe’s the best option for now. But if Kiss, Larkham and Gilmore are the business for the future for Australia get them in now as assistants to Joe and stop moaning!!


Errors and Ommissions accepted. Mispelling of names is OJohn's fault.

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