Vern Cotter on bruising rookie's 'aggressive attitude'

The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season is alive and kicking, but Vern Cotter and the Blues haven’t hit the ground running as they would have liked, falling to one win from five games and a lonely ninth place on the table.

Although Cotter’s side has ultimately been disappointing to start the season, young loose forward Cameron Christie has stood up in the past two weeks, where he has started both games at blindside flanker.

Christie, who impressed for the New Zealand U20’s last year, predominantly played at lock for North Harbour in the Bunnings NPC competition in 2024, earning a Super Rugby contract in the process.

Christie was named Blues player of the match against the Chiefs in Hamilton, where Cotter was once again impressed with his work ethic.

“Cam works tirelessly, I think that’s what I really like about him,” Cotter told media post-match.

“Having these young kids, they bring everyone along with them. So I enjoyed his work last week and enjoyed his work this week.

“It just brings some real life to the team. Having these guys just not worrying about anything, but just playing as well as they can, and it’s just nice to have that aspect within the team.

Cotter enjoyed the way his young loose forward carried, using his 1.96m frame to his advantage.

“He’s physical, so he’s relentless and that aggressive attitude you need to contest, and we just need to be great at contesting all the time.”

Player Carries

1

Corey Evans

12

2

Cam Christie

12

3

Emoni Narawa

11

The 20-year-old was selected as part of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship New Zealand side named by head coach Jono Gibbes, where the Kiwis finished third.

Christie had a game-high 12 carries for the Blues, on top of his nine tackles in his 80-minute performance against the Chiefs.

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu was also quick to praise his teammate when asked about what he’s personally seen in training of Christie’s ability.

“Yeah like VC (Vern Cotter) said, his tireless attitude, he won’t say much but he obviously has the same attitude here at training, the same attitude in the game, which is just awesome to see him flourishing.”

Despite round four’s home defeat against the Brumbies, Cotter was proud of the way Christie played on his starting debut last weekend, saying how pleased he is for the 20-year-old.

“I’m really happy with Cameron Christie, who hasn’t had a lot of starts for the Blues, he was very good tonight.”