Matt Todd finding familiarity among cast of returning Crusaders
At just 35, Matt Todd could very well be on the playing field for the Crusaders, but instead, the 25-time All Black is getting a jump start on his coaching career.
Todd played out what would be the last of his playing years in a Toshiba Brave Lupus jersey in Japan just this year, but has already featured in the coaches box for both the Canterbury U19 team and the senior NPC side.
Incoming Crusaders coach Rob Penney has been quick to reward Todd’s efforts by recruiting him to Super Rugby status, employing the 140-cap Crusader for his nous on the defensive end and as a breakdown specialist.
He’ll rejoin plenty of familiar faces at Rugby Park, with 12 former teammates from Todd’s last season (2019) in red and black in the 2024 squad, including some veterans older than the assistant coach.
Ryan Crotty – who Todd recently recruited back to Canterbury’s NPC side – joins Manasa Mataele and Owen Franks in returning to the Christchurch club.
“I think having some of those familiar faces helps. Having guys you played with, you can kind of lean on them at certain times,” Todd said, as reported by Stuff.
“I certainly wouldn’t have thought an opportunity like this would come so quickly. For it to happen, I’m very grateful for that.
“But I know, at the same time, it’s now about making the most of that opportunity and putting in the work that’s required to live up to the expectations that are required when you’ve got a role like this.”
Todd and Penney have big shoes to fill, replacing new All Blacks personnel in Scott Robertson and Scott Hansen. But, as the squad members on their next era, it’s a familiar schedule for Todd.
“It’s reasonably the same,” he said of pre-season training.
“This time of the year, there’s a mix of footy stuff, hard work, conditioning-type stuff that you need to do to get the body ready. Then that kind of bonding stuff, doing activities that you build those connection pieces, get everyone familiar with each other as quick as you can.”
Expectations for the team on a seven-year win streak are more subdued than previous campaigns given the on and off-field turnover, but the messages are consistent within the camp says Todd.
“The conversations that have been had, the standards that are being driven, the want to get better from the players and everyone is really high.
“I think there’s certainly that hunger and desire to want to get better, and that’s what you need this time of the year. And everyone is open to feedback, they want feedback to learn and want to be challenge and want to grow. It’s pleasing to see.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments