How a French giant may have saved John Hardie's career
Scottish international John Hardie says he’s grateful to French giants Clermont who took him in over the summer after being effectively exiled from Scotland.
While Hardie did not win a contract at the Top14 outfit, he says he is thankful to the side that effectively saved his career.
In October of last year Scottish Rugby and Edinburgh suspended Hardie from selection for both club or country, but gave no details on why the 29-year-old was not being considered. As a result he missed the 2017 November Tests against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia.
It was widely reported that the suspension came following a club social which got out of hand, with several players enjoying themselves a little too much. While he returned to play for Edinburgh following the suspension, he was released at the end of last season.
Prior to his release Clermont had in fact contacted the 16 times capped Scot. The club and the player struck a dealt that saw him undergo back surgery, followed by rehabilitation at the French giant’s base in the south of France.
If he could prove his fitness they would sign him, with the club telling RugbyRama at the time: “Our relationship is clear: if he is fit, he will sign.”
Ultimately they didn’t sign him, but they got him back on track physically. Now impressing with the Newcastle Falcons, Hardie was glowing in his praise of the French side.
“Spending the summer with Clermont was a really good experience,” said Hardie. “They’ve got a top-class facility over there, they had a big medical team which helped me with my rehab and even though things didn’t go to plan in terms of getting a contract there I thank them for all the help they gave me and everything I learnt.
“The fact that I was in good shape as a result of being over in Clermont meant that when the Newcastle opportunity came around I was ready to take it, and I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far.”
Hardie is now enjoying a new lease of life with Newcastle Falcons.
“The boys are great here, they’re very down to earth and I really enjoy that. I’ve been made to feel very welcome, I’m enjoying my rugby and it’s been a great move. It’s a superb surface here at Kingston Park, the crowd get right behind us and like all the boys I love playing here.”
The Falcons face a visit from Gloucester to Kingston Park Stadium on Sunday.
“We didn’t achieve the two results we wanted against Edinburgh but there are definitely bits we can take from both games, especially in the first halves because we were leading at half-time on both occasions.
“Our accuracy let us down and we left a lot of points on the field, but there are certainly positive elements we can take from it going into the Gloucester game on Sunday.
“We created a lot of opportunities – last weekend alone we had five clean line-breaks – but we only converted one of them. Edinburgh were more clinical in scoring two tries from their three line-breaks, and it’s just those little things that we’ve been working really hard on to get it right.”
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“We know we’re going to be up against a really physical Gloucester team who have a lot of skill and pace out wide, they’re a really well-drilled and well-coached outfit and it’ll be an intense game.
“They’ve got threats in the back three and the midfield but we’ve got just as many, so as much as we’ll have our work cut out on the day, so will Gloucester.
“If your defence is really good when Gloucester are counter-attacking you can turn that into an opportunity for your own team, because turnover ball in that scenario is really dangerous.”
“As a seven you know you’re going to be absolutely stuffed at the end of every game, and you have to be putting your body on the line for the team,” said the former Highlanders and Edinburgh man.
“You’re involved in a lot of contacts as an open-side and a lot of phases of play, but that’s what I enjoy and I’m looking forward to that challenge this weekend.”
Comments on RugbyPass
You know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to comments