Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'The surprise factor is gone': Crusaders boss Scott Robertson's blunt challenge to All Blacks star

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has called on young star Cullen Grace to make full use of his “incredible ability” following a subdued Super Rugby season in comparison to last year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Grace emerged as one of the standout rookies in last year’s editions of Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa, impressing with his defensive power and solidity at the set piece.

The 21-year-old utility forward – who can play lock, blindside flanker and at No. 8 – was subsequently called into the All Blacks squad for their Bledisloe Cup series and Rugby Championship campaign.

Video Spacer

Three of the most destructive midfielders in New Zealand schoolboy history

Video Spacer

Three of the most destructive midfielders in New Zealand schoolboy history

While he only made one appearance for the national side, a two-minute cameo off the bench during New Zealand’s 24-22 defeat to the Wallabies in Brisbane, Grace nonetheless announced himself as a long-term prospect for the future.

However, the youngster hasn’t provided the same sort of impact in his second season with the Crusaders, where he has predominantly featured at No. 8, despite starring from blindside flanker last year.

Failing to really assert himself in any of his five appearances for the Christchurch-based franchise this year, Grace was dropped from the side to face the Chiefs in Hamilton last week.

In light of their 26-25 defeat, Robertson has recalled the youngster into the starting side to face the Blues at Orangetheory Stadium on Sunday in a match that could secure the Crusaders a home Super Rugby Aotearoa final on May 8.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Blues also have plenty riding on the match as they need a win to keep themselves well within the hunt of featuring in the competition’s grand finale following the Chiefs’ last-gasp win over the Hurricanes at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday.

With so much on the line for both teams, the Crusaders will need a point of difference to get them across the line against their traditional rivals, and Robertson hopes Grace can bring that extra edge upon his return to the match day side.

“He’s a real physical player, as you know. Incredible shoulder on him. Incredible ability to anticipate play, but just probably hasn’t quite got the opportunities he has [because of] the tightness of the games,” Robertson told media on Friday.

“He’s made a lot of tackles. He’s had a couple of niggles that have come right, so we’re looking for more from [him].

ADVERTISEMENT

“The surprise factor is gone, as you normally have in that first year. He’s not far away. He’s doing everything, the simple things really well, just hasn’t got his opportunities to make a big play yet and get in your newspapers.”

Robertson added that given Grace’s youth and relative inexperience at this level, there is still plenty for the former New Zealand Schools and New Zealand U20 representative to learn before he reaches his full potential.

“The skills around No. 8 – when to go, when to work with the No. 9s, the variables of the weather or who you’re playing or the way their No. 9 defends – all of those things come into play, but he is learning his craft and he is getting better at it, and it’s just game time for him.”

Grace is one of four personnel changes to the Crusaders’ forward pack, with vice-captain Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock and Sione Havili Talitui all welcomed back into the starting side after missing the defeat to the Chiefs.

Kick-off for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 3:35pm NZT.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'World-class finisher' offers All Blacks selection solution Mark Tele'a scores a double at Allianz Stadium
Search