The All Blacks rookie who poses the biggest threat to Brad Weber
Brad Weber is enjoying the presence of All Blacks rookie Finlay Christie in the national squad, but he seems equally aware of the threat the red-haired ball of energy poses to his chances of selection.
After making his first two appearances in the black jersey off the bench against Tonga and Fiji over the past fortnight, Christie has impressed with the impetus and high-tempo style of play he’s injected into each of those matches.
Stepping into the All Blacks squad for the first time in his career during TJ Perenara’s sabbatical-enforced absence from Ian Foster’s set-up, Christie’s efforts to ensure he keeps his place in the squad beyond the current test series isn’t going unnoticed.
It’s not just on the field where the Scottish-born halfback is leaving his mark, though, as Weber has relished being back in the same team as Christie for the first time since his departure from the Chiefs in 2017.
“It’s great. I was devastated when we lost Red a few years ago when he moved to the Hurricanes from here,” Weber told media from the All Blacks’ base in Hamilton ahead of their second test against Fiji at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday.
“He’s a great team man and he’s a teammate that I’ve really enjoyed having around, so it’s nice to have him back in. He’s a great lad and he’s playing some fantastic footy as well, so it’s cool having him in here.”
It’s no surprise that Weber gets on so well with Christie given they share similar past times away from the footy field. By Weber’s own admission, enjoying a beer or two is among the shared interests he and Christie have in common.
“It’s his off-field stuff, for me. He doesn’t mind a beer and neither do I, so we’ve had a couple good times together in that regard. He’s got a great sense of humour, he’s great to have around, he’s a great lad.”
More importantly, from a purely playing perspective, Christie’s brief performances in the first two tests of the year have proven his value as an All Black in the international arena.
The 25-year-old’s livewire showings against ‘Ikale Tahi and the Flying Fijians were reminiscent of the impeccable form he found himself while playing for the Blues since moving from the Hurricanes ahead of last year’s Super Rugby campaign.
During his time in Auckland, Christie has caught the eye largely thanks to his snappy running ability, but Weber also pinpointed his defensive exploits as a key area where the former gymnast has seriously improved his game.
“I suppose, on the field, he’s taken his attacking game to a new level,” Weber said.
Fiji's competitive performance against the All Blacks in Dunedin may be a sign of the positive things to come under head coach Vern Cotter. #NZLvFIJ https://t.co/buCsTBuyIH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 13, 2021
“I think, in previous years, his skill set has been inconsistent, but he’s incredibly consistent at it now and some of his defensive work rate is top notch.
“Some of the hits he put on those Tongan boys in that first week was pretty impressive, so he can certainly throw it down.”
However, those attributes alone may not be the biggest threat that Christie poses to the current crop of All Blacks halfbacks.
Given his relative youth compared to Weber, Perenara and the incumbent Aaron Smith, some may view Christie as the long-term successor to all three players beyond the 2023 World Cup.
The aforementioned trio have been the preferred three halfbacks in the All Blacks squad since 2019, but with all of them either on the cusp of or beyond the age of 30, their days as All Blacks are limited.
So, while Smith, Perenara and Weber might be the best and most experienced No 9s in the country, Christie poses a threat to their places in the national squad as, unlike the veteran trio, his future beyond 2023 looks destined to be in an All Blacks jersey.
With that in mind, Smith’s back-ups Perenara and Weber might face pressure to retain their places in Foster’s side in the coming years as the likes of Christie are included in an effort to minimise the impact of the likely mass post-World Cup exodus.
Perenara’s contractual situation with New Zealand Rugby and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes has already seen him hand over his place in the current All Blacks squad to Christie, but that could become commonplace for him or Weber over time.
You’d be forgiven for assuming that would create an extra edge of tension among the current three halfbacks in the All Blacks squad, but Weber ensured he, Christie and Smith all maintain strong relationships and look out for one another in camp.
That didn’t stop the eight-test halfback from conceding there was still an element of competitiveness for places in the match day squad.
“You get competitive wherever you go, but I suppose I can’t focus on what him or another guy is doing,” Weber said.
“I can only really focus on myself and I’ll, of course, support all our 9s, we’ve all got pretty good relationships here, so I’ll support them 100 percent and then focus on myself so I can play well.”
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments