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Will Jordan 'wasn't too happy' with Macca Springer's five tries vs Force
By Ned Lester
Crusaders youngster Macca Springer equalled a Super Rugby record with five tries against the Western Force in Christchurch on the weekend. While the tally impressed many, the man who set up a number of those efforts was left a little unimpressed.
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Springer made his first start of the season in Saturday’s round-five contest on a sunny Canterbury afternoon. After scoring the two opening tries of the game, the 21-year-old took a backseat as fellow winger Sevu Reece raced away to score a hat-trick within 15 minutes near halftime.
Not to be outdone, Springer launched back into the action in the 50th minute with his third try of the day and eight minutes later, that tally was pushed to five.
“I’ve never scored five tries in a game, so it was a first from me, it was pretty special,” the Nelson-born speedster told Jasone Pine on Newstalk ZB.
“I still don’t really think it’s real. I don’t think it’s really kicked in. I’ve had a few messages coming in, but it’s pretty special for me and obviously, big for the team as well; they did a lot to help me get those five tries so pretty much all credit to them.
“But yeah, it’s a tough game. Letting in in thirty-three points is probably not ideal for a Super team. We could score the points, but we’ve got to be able to defend it as well.”
A final score of 55-33 was registered after 80 minutes, the Force securing a late consolation try to ensure their score wasn’t doubled by the opposition.
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The game was tight at the half, with just two points separating the two sides. It was Springer who quickly put the result beyond reach, with the highlight of his performance being a “Tom Marshall special” – a chip and chase inspired by the former Crusader.
With an historic performance in the bag, Springer was expecting to be hearing a bit of banter from his teammates this week.
“There were a few rumours going around that I had to shout (drinks), I think a few boys told me I was a bit greedy as well. I’d say there’ll be a fine when I come in on Monday, I’m not sure what that will be but I’ll be paying something.
“I think Will (Jordan) was inside me when I did the grubber down the sideline, so he wasn’t too happy after he’d given me that first one as well, he thought he’d win one back!”
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The very amused interviewer, Jason Pine, joked that Jordan would be feeling a bit left out during the try-fest, having not touched down himself until late in the contest.
“He got the last one, didn’t he?” The radio host laughed. “When you get to eight tries and Will Jordan hasn’t got one, he probably would get a bit grumpy I’d imagine!”
Pine also suggested it would be hard to drop Springer from the starting unit now, despite the Crusaders having a surplus of talent.
“Yeah. This season, definitely. With the likes of everyone that’s playing, everyone’s in form and everyone’s healthy at the moment, so as soon as you get the opportunity to play, you’ve got to take with two hands. And yeah, it’s good for the team obviously. It’s really healthy, makes you push harder for each each game.”
Springer had a new goal coming into the current season, a goal that he got off to a strong start in achieving.
“I think it’s a bit of a work-on from my season last year; just getting a bit more involved and getting the hands on the ball. You watch Sevu (Reece’s) game and see how much he gets involved and you see how many touches he gets, I took a little bit out of that and I just want to get as involved as much as I could. And I guess it showed as well.
“He’s a special player. The whole back unit, but Will (Jordan) and him, they’ve been a huge part of my career.
“Obviously, I’ve had a few years with them, learnt a lot a lot from both of them, so you know, they are pretty extraordinary players. To be able to rub shoulders with them every day, every week and even in the games was awesome. So you have to take a lot from them. Just going to keep picking their brains.”
Springer said the All Blacks stars had been open and communicative with him since he entered the environment.
“Yeah, definitely. They’re always asking questions; what I’m seeing, what they’re seeing. They’re telling me feedback, and I’m giving them a bit of feedback too, so I always feel comfortable talking to them.”
After two seasons of being on the fringes of the matchday 23, Springer is clearly growing more comfortable at the Super Rugby level, and is trying to keep things simple as he grows into his role as game-breaker.
“I think it’s just where the defence is, how fast they’re coming up, and if I can get to that outside and put on the foot, then we’ll take it. But it’s a kind of trying to do it at training, so it comes as an instinct when it comes to a game.”
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