Former All Black weighs in on star halfback's performance

When Cameron Roigard sprinted away under the posts to secure the Bledisloe Cup for another year, you got the feeling that his running game is what the All Blacks have missed in this Rugby Championship campaign.

A fracture in his right foot kept the 24-year-old out of action in the start of the Rugby Championship, and it’s clear to see what the All Blacks have missed over that period, where the Kiwis lost two games to Argentina and South Africa respetively.

Roigard crossed twice at Eden Park in the first Bledisloe Cup Test of the year, sniping from the base of the ruck in the 23rd minute, to lead by 17 points during the first half.

Then the halfback’s second and final try of the evening, was a textbook halfback try, following the play and running a support line on the back of a Quinn Tupaea line break.

Former All Black halfback Justin Marshall believes that no one in the country can replicate the running game that Roigard has.

“But I’ll categorically say like, there is no other half back in the country that runs like Cameron Roigard, he’s got a unique running game,” Marshall said on the Bunnings Trade Rugby Run on Sport Nation.

Marshall believes that the closest player in New Zealand to Roigard in terms of running game is Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava.

“But, but no one can replicate, replicate the running game. The closest player who is actually, interestingly, starting to find some form again, although it’s only in the NPC, is Folau Fakatava.

“He’s got the same sort of threat in terms of his running game, taking steps, bringing defenders in, has the power to break through them as well.”

There’s been a point in time where fans and pundits have questioned the Hurricanes’ halfbacks box kicking ability, but the current Sky Sport commentator and analyst is satisfied with his recent showings with the boot.

“He might not have the crispest passing game, but I thought his box kicking and his kicking from the ruck and breakdown yesterday was really good.

“It enabled the likes of Will Jordan and Carter to chase with enthusiasm, because he was giving it good height, right distance. It was very accurate.”