All Blacks prospect Lachlan Boshier 'keen to stick around' in Japan
Almost halfway through his two-year contract with the Saitama Wild Knights, New Zealand loose forward Lachlan Boshier is loving his time in Japan and has no regrets taking his name out of contention for the All Blacks.
Boshier was one of the top-performing flankers in Super Rugby from 2019 to 2021 and was regularly touted as a potential All Black but the cards never quite fell the 27-year-old’s way. Sam Cane, Ardie Savea and Du’Plessis Kirifi were all selected ahead of the out-and-out fetcher and Boshier understandably made the call last year to link up with Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights for the 2022 Japan Rugby League One season – a move which has been hugely beneficial for both parties.
Currently, Saitama are undefeated with two rounds left to play in the competition but sit third on the overall ladder having forfeited two games due to positive Covid cases in the squad.
Boshier has been a key contributor in their success this season, having featured in 10 or their 12 matches played to date.
“I’m loving it so far. It’s been a good first six months,” Boshier told reporters on Tuesday. “The boys have been very good and it’s been a great team to be a part of. Still just trying to find my way a little bit – different language, different culture – but loving it so far.
“I’m very happy. Loving it over here and just experiencing something new and challenging myself, which is probably what I needed.”
Playing in New Zealand is a prerequisite for earning selection in the All Blacks (except in rare circumstances for proven performers) which means that Boshier has effectively removed himself from contention from playing test rugby. While that was undoubtedly a difficult decision to make, it means the former Chiefs and Taranaki fetcher can simply focus on the here-and-now without having to worry about whispers of higher honours.
“You definitely don’t feel the pressure over here as much in terms of the media and whatnot,” he said. “It’s nice to come over here and it’s almost like a bit of a fresh start and just gives me a chance to just settle in and play some code and not really worry too much about those external factors, which has been nice.”
“You can only do what you can do,” said Boshier of his time in NZ and gunning for All Blacks selection. “I thought I played some good code back home and done everything I could but it obviously wasn’t good enough. Obviously, I’ve taken a different pathway and looked overseas and here I am now.
“Sort of come over here to experience a new culture and new style of footy. Just getting stuck into footy at the moment for the next couple of years and see where that takes me.”
Former England international George Kruis – a teammate of Boshier’s at Saitama – says that while plenty of thought has to go into the composition of a team, not just individual abilities, Boshier certainly wouldn’t let the black jersey down and that NZ’s loss is Japan’s gain.
“He’s really good, isn’t he? He’s a good player,” said the 2019 World Cup finalist. “I think Pana have done very well in terms of getting him at the age that he is. Robbie’s planning for team balance is brilliant. And Lachie’s a great player. You can see why he was there or thereabouts.
“But you can also understand that sometimes [players] are picked because there might be someone else in the team who’s selected and it’s a balance of the backrow or so on. You can understand why coaches select teams and why they have to leave players as good as someone like Lachie in or out at stages.
“I think he’ll do a lot of good coming and playing over here, experiencing different rugby, and I’m sure that he’ll go back at some point and pick up some caps when his time’s right or when he fits the coaching plan. He’s a good man on and off the field.”
Boshier unsurprisingly hasn’t heard anything from the All Blacks selectors since relocating to Japan and while he would “never say never” when it comes to playing test rugby, his focus is very much on the current season with the Wild Knights, which will head into the semi-finals of the competition in three weeks’ time.
Known as an exceptional snaffler of the ball at the breakdown, Boshier didn’t have to adjust his technique too much when arriving in Japan. Even so, tweaking his methods would not have been a foreign concept after the man law interpreation changes that the gmae has undergone in recent seasons.
“It’s a little bit different,” he said of the refereeing in Japan. “There’s obviously so many changes the last few years, especially in New Zealand. You’re always changing or trying to get better in certain areas but coming over here, interpretations are a little bit different. Also just understanding how the refs ref over here. But there are some bloody good jackallers over here – very strong over the ball.”
“You get screamed at pretty quickly [at the ruck] and you sort of get the gist of it,” he added.
Deans, the man who lured Boshier to Japan, has also fully adopted the Japanese approach to play and was the major factor in Boshier’s decision to part ways with the Chiefs at the end of last year.
“He’s been really good actually. He’s a good man to get around. He’s always offering little tricks and work-ons at training and getting around all the boys and helping them out,” said Boshier. “He’s been really good, just a different way of coaching a little bit as well, which is always good. It’s been nice with a change-up. Really enjoying him and keen to stick around with him for a bit longer.
“I think he’s adapted to the Japanese style and he knows how it works over here, lets the boys attack from anywhere. He’s pretty keen to play that attacking flair. I think we’ve just got a good mix here with the boys and also the coaches. I think he’s just got a good mix and a good structure going on.
“He obviously knows what’s going on around the world, watches a lot of code. I’d say he has his finger on the pulse on what most players are doing. Just getting in contact, really, was a huge thing for me – personally giving me a ring a couple of times. He knew what page I was on, which definitely helped. Just a good understanding of where I was at in my career and how he could help me. And also just the style of rugby over in Japan, if it was suited for me or not. Just little things like that which helped getting me over here.”
The Saitama Wild Knights – who have guarenteed themselves a spot in the semi-finals – are set to play the Green Rockets and Kubota Spears in the final two rounds of the regular season. Back to back wins would ensure a second-place finish and home advantage for the sudden death matches set to begin next month.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments