An England age-grade back row mentored by former All Black Rodney So'aialo has secured Saracens deal
Andy Christie, a 21-year-old age-grade England international, has landed a two-year contract at Saracens following an academy adventure that included a spell in New Zealand under the guidance of former All Black Rodney So’oialo.
Christie made his senior debut for Saracens in the 2018/19 Premiership Rugby Cup having spent the summer of 2018 in Wellington, learning from So’oialo who won 62 Test caps in his seven-year international career.
In the same season, Christie earned international recognition with England U20s, debuting against the Junior Springboks, before running out for the first time in the Gallagher Premiership against Worcester Warriors.
In total, he has featured ten times for Saracens, including once in the Heineken Champions Cup, and he now believes he is at the right club to continue his development.
“I’m very happy to have signed a contract,” he said after agreeing on a deal that will keep him at the London club until at least 2022. “As soon as I was offered it, I was pretty buzzing. For me, there is not really a better place to be.
Looking forward to seeing where @AndyChristie43 can take his game ?#TogetherSaracens ?? pic.twitter.com/Vp1eOeahq9
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) July 22, 2020
“There is a good crop of us coming through and on the few occasions I have managed to play with the likes of Manu (Vunipola), Elliot (Obatoyinbo) and Sean (Reffell) it is always special as you feel like you have come through the pathway together as is playing with those guys who are senior to you and those guys who you have looked up to for a number of years. It’s a special feeling every time you get to play.”
Director of rugby Mark McCall added: “Andy is part of an exciting group of players who have come through the academy together and are exceptionally close. Andy is motivated and dedicated and has shown us this season that he has the potential to be an important part of our future. We are thrilled he has committed to the club.”
Saracens followed up the Christie deal by announcing a similar two-year contract on Thursday for Elliott Obatoyinbo, the 21-year-old winger who also spent time in 2018 in Wellington, appearing for the Mitre 10 Cup side’s academy as well as in the local club league.
He has made ten appearances to date for Saracens and has had loan spells at Ampthill and London Scottish. “I’m really happy to have signed; there’s nowhere I’d rather be,” he said. “I know this is the best place for me to develop as a player with the coaches we have and the senior players that we have so I’m really excited.
“I came out of school just kind of relying on talent; rugby is a lot more than that and they’ve really helped me with my game and have been good for me.”
Boss McCall said: “Elliott’s progress over the last twelve months makes us hugely excited about his future. He is very clear on what he wants to achieve and is prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to allow him to do that.”
The Saracens captain revealed his deep frustration as the club head into their delayed Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster in September.https://t.co/dyvAUEIeeV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 2, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments