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Christopher Raymond: Meet the Kiwi with a Netherlands World Cup dream
One of the happiest people in Paris last Sunday was Christopher Raymond, the New Zealander who was part of the Netherlands’ forward power that clinically ground down Germany in the Rugby European Championship.
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It was only a fifth-place play-off final, but the 45-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of a one-sided contest that turned out very differently from four weeks previous.
The February 18 pool result between the teams was 39-13 in Amsterdam but the Dutch, who now have former Wales international Lyn Jones in charge, had their homework done and their game plan was exquisitely executed.
Overall, they have learned a lot about themselves in 2024, absorbing the learning from 18-20 and 10-31 pool losses to eventual third-place Spain and champions Georgia to finish out the tournament with three successive wins.
It has fired up their optimism that they can be immensely competitive when it comes to the qualification race for the Rugby World Cup 2027.
DUTCH GOLD: The Netherlands collect their fifth place Rugby Europe title after defeating Germany 45-0 in Paris. #REC24 #rugby pic.twitter.com/Ik6FKYxByX
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 17, 2024
For Raymond, a Sacred Heart College Auckland graduate, featuring across the Tasman in Australia in three years would be quite the reward for a career that has taken the 27-year-old No8 back to his family’s maternal roots.
“Mum and Oma grew up in the Netherlands during tough times and it means a lot to be able to represent the country of my heritage,” he told RugbyPass in the Stade Jean Bouin tunnel shortly after the delighted Dutch on-pitch celebrations had ended.
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“I’m from New Zealand myself. I was living in Scotland for a little bit and one of the clubs in Holland asked me to come during covid when I wasn’t playing any rugby in Scotland, so I came right over.
“I had connected a few dots together already, they knew I was eligible. The coaches at the time saw me and gave me a chance, and now it’s just about trying to keep my spot in the team. It’s a valued position and I can’t take it for granted.”
It was November 2021 when Christopher made the trip across the Channel to link up with Haarlem and he was one of five players in the Netherlands starting XV to qualify under the parents’ rule.
Three more were eligible under residency, with the remaining seven born and bred there. The recent creation of the Delta, who take part in the Rugby Europe Super Cup, has given Dutch players a new level below Test rugby to hone their craft.
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They finished seventh in the 2023 tournament, Christopher captaining them to a playoff win over Bohemia Warriors from the Czech Republic. Jones headed up that operation as well and the Kiwi back-rower has nothing but the height of respect for what the Welshman has quickly achieved with club and country.
“He has made a huge difference. Just his tactical game plan, he knows players strengths and he works with them to give them the best game plan for the team. Long term it’s about definitely trying to get to the World Cup 2027 and just keep building sustainable rugby in the country.
The Netherlands have kept a clean sheet in their fifth place Rugby Europe Championship, keeping Germany out on the final play to win 45-0. #REC24 pic.twitter.com/6NGq5eokYc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 17, 2024
“There is definitely some depth coming through, focusing more on the Delta in the Europe Super Cup, developing more boys playing rugby in the Netherlands at semi-pro/amateur level, getting them to that professional level so we that when they get into the Dutch team they will be firing.”
They definitely fired last Sunday. “It means a lot. For us, this year was about closing the gap and we felt like we did that. Last year, in another fifth-place final against Germany, we let them in the game a bit and it wasn’t quite as good.
“This year we left them with nil which means we are improving away from the bottom and getting closer to the top, which is exactly what we are looking for. I genuinely think next year we could be pushing for the top four.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Looked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
33 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
33 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
33 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
33 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
33 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
33 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
33 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
33 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
33 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to comments