'I was a bit nervous': All Blacks stars opens up on nerve-racking provincial return for Waikato
You would be hard stretched to find a friendship pairing stronger than that of Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie, but it’s the return to where it all began professionally that has had the two star All Blacks smiling as of late.
It’s rare to see the absolute cream of the crop being given the time to return to their provincial roots and have the opportunity to pass on knowledge to fellow rugby players getting the first taste of professionalism.
Yet, thanks to an unpredictable rugby calendar in a year like no other, the Mitre 10 Cup is currently basking in the glory of having all of the country’s best available to take part.
For Lienert-Brown and McKenzie, playing for Waikato is where the bonds of their time together as rugby professionals, and teammates, first began to evolve.
Fast forward a few years, they’re now two of the most recognisable faces in rugby on these shores with substantial All Blacks experience.
Reaching this high level does indeed dictate a lot of time, personal sacrifice, and the complicated requirement of being consistently in the limelight, all the while having to grow up faster than most.
That’s a high degree of pressure on what are two men aged just 25, but it’s their friendship which has been their greatest asset to one another. Yes, they play professionally together, but they’re great mates above all else.
Returning to the provincial scene for the first time in several seasons was a special experience for Lienert-Brown, who admitted to being more nervous than usual ahead of his first game in Waikato colours since 2015, when he played a part in helping the province capture the Ranfurly Shield.
“The last time I wore these colours we won the Ranfurly Shield, so there are some special memories,” Lienert-Brown said.
“In all honesty, I was a bit nervous because I knew I needed to step up and lead by actions, but I prepare the same every week whether I’m playing provincial or for the All Blacks.”
Even four years after his last appearance for Southland, veteran hooker Jason Rutledge stood as one of the province's most revered cult heroes.
Following his return to action this weekend, his reputation within the region must have grown even stronger.https://t.co/QnzbzucUNP
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 14, 2020
For McKenzie, who last played provincial rugby back in 2016, the ability to give back to the province that gave him the initial professional opportunity and play afternoon rugby in the sun for an ultimately victorious first outing for Waikato in 2020.
“My last game was back in 2016 so it’s nice to come back and play for the province that gave me the opportunity to move forward,” McKenzie said.
“I just love this afternoon rugby because you don’t have to wait around all day to get out there and play so to top that off with a win is the first for myself personally, which is a great feeling.”
Being high profile All Blacks, naturally some of the attention will soon have to return to the commitments in the black jersey.
For both men, news of a potential 10-week stint in Australia for the Rugby Championship was relatively fresh when speaking to media after Waikato’s big 53-28 win over Wellington.
“I just want to play footy,” Lienert-Brown said. “We haven’t been sent a schedule or anything like that so until I hear from the All Blacks management themselves I’m happy just chipping away here with Waikato.”
Having another chance to pull on the All Blacks strip will be one not to be turned down by McKenzie.
“I haven’t read too much into it but you don’t ever turn down opportunities to play for the All Blacks, so when that time comes it will be the priority, but for now it’s about focusing on my time here with the Waikato boys.”
For the time being, the pair will be firmly focused on imparting their knowledge on what is still a young Waikato side.
Waikato coach Andrew Strawbridge, a man who has spent a lot of time with the pair in the Chiefs environment, says that the real benefit of having All Blacks back in the environment is how their experience helps install discipline in players coming through the ranks.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFCXNdeAp2a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
“To reach the top of rugby in New Zealand requires you to be a reasonably special character,” Strawbridge said.
“Damian and Anton are both steady boys and they help focus the young guys on the things that are important, which helps gets discipline around their thought processes and actions.”
RugbyPass understands that Lienert-Brown and McKenzie will feature for Waikato in rounds two and three of the Mitre 10 Cup, during which time a schedule of the All Blacks travel plans will be finalised.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to comments