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Fellow New Zealand halfback sets world-class bar for Cameron Roigard
By Henry Lee
All Blacks halfback Cameron Roigard will look to continue his comeback from his serious knee injury this weekend against England at Allianz Stadium.
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Roigard, 23, burst onto the All Blacks scene in the Rugby World Cup last year, before rupturing his left patella tendon on the 30th of March in the sixth round of Super Rugby Pacific against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has put trust in his young halfback, selecting him in the 36 man squad for the Northern Tour.
Former Maori All Black and current North Harbour halfback Bryn Hall has high praise for Cameron Roigard and his future in a black jersey.
“When we get to the next world cup, I think he’ll be arguably one of the best halfbacks in the world with his skillset he has,” Hall said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
Significantly high praise considering Roigard has only played five Test matches for the All Blacks, and has only just returned from a major knee injury, playing two games of NPC for Counties Manukau before being selected in Scott Robertson’s squad for the Northern Tour.
Although Roigard has only three games under his belt since the injury, former All Black and Sky Sport commentator James Parsons would start him against England at Allianz Stadium this weekend.
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“Before his injury, Cameron Roigard was probably the guy they had pencilled in there, Cortez has absolutely taken his opportunity and deserves a spot on the bench, but I just think Roigard looks in good form, looks ready to go, and I think you’ve just gotta get him out there and into it.
If there was a form issue, you definitely would have TJ there, but these two young men are playing good footy and they need to be rewarded for that,” said Parsons on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
Hall believes Roigard’s wide range of attributes will allow him to make the All Blacks number nine jersey his own in years to come.
“Roigard with his two games of NPC, and the game against Japan, the attacking threat with ball in hand, and his left foot, great left foot to be able to kick the ball long and contestable. He would like to be a little bit better in terms of his efficiency and getting it right on the money.”
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Scott Robertson has two other solid options in the number nine position on the end of year Northern Tour, having the option to call on experienced halfback and 87-test veteran TJ Perenara if needed, and young Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima who has impressed in his first games as an All Black.
“Cortez Ratima has played so well consistently this year, for a young man that does his core skills at a very high percentage.
Then you’ve got TJ Perenara, who I know brings that experience and I know with him if with coaches, if you’re going to play England, France and Ireland having that experience in that position is important, and knowing Razor, he definitely does value that leadership quality on and off the field,” says Hall when asked about what role TJ Perenara might play.
"he’ll be arguably one of the best halfbacks in the world with his skillset he has"
really? he proved in the match against Japan that, like Perenara, he can't even kick accurately. This current crop of players set themselves laughably low standards, ex ABs like Carter must be horrified.
Experience counts for nothing if you are not playing well. I don't understand how experience alone can be such a key metric when performances aren't there. Wallace Sititi is vastly inexperienced, and it has meant absolutely nothing, as his form and ability speak for themselves. I don't mean to be disrespectful to TJ, but on form he is possibly the 4th to 6th best halfback in the country. He may be okay at guiding a team home if we are leading when brought on, but he can't break a game open if we are chasing a lead the way Roigard, Ratima, Hotham, Fakatava or even Christie could
If there is any vision for the future it has to be Roigard and Ratima in the 23 with Hotham joining in the squad next year. If TJ makes the 23 for England, Ireland or France then the coaches have bottled it.
TJ stuffed it up against England in 2022 in a selfish bid for glory turning an All Black winning margin into a drawn game and a ruptured achilles injury for himself.
Now this year when TJ got injured after the first test in Dunedin, Cortez Ratima stepped up for test two at Eden Park and has slotted in well and keeps improving.
If Scott has any kahunas, he starts Ratima and Beauden, with Roigard and McKenzie as impact off the bench.
Go the All Blacks...time to pocket some posies...onwards and upwards...
The obsession with Perenara is extraordinary. I simply cant wait for him to start his career in Japan. His days in black are over.
Yeah great competitor but if Razor selects him over either Roigard or Ratima it’s a massive mistake
Happy to have him mentoring the boys and perhaps play against Italy as a send off but no more