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The bolt from the Blue: how an Eagle landed himself a Super Rugby gig
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If anyone at the Blues qualifies as a surprise package it must surely be Tony Lamborn, a flanker who represented the United States at the recent World Cup and an eyebrow-raising choice to start in the No7 jersey against the Chiefs – an opportunity he took with both hands.
Lamborn’s all-energy performance and flat-out pace over 25m also earned him the honour of going into the history books as 2020’s first Super Rugby try scorer and this week the 28-year-old revealed if he hadn’t been called up by Blues coach Leon MacDonald he would probably be working as a builder in Hawke’s Bay for his brother Sam.
“I caught the ball and looked ahead and saw there was no one in front of me,” he told the Herald this week of his try following a TJ Faiane midfield break. “I figured there was someone behind me so I just had to give it my best shot. It didn’t click until after the game when a few people messaged me saying ‘first 2020 Super Rugby try’.
“I was full of adrenaline and happy to dot down. I’m not a big person for scoring tries – I’d rather be the one to get the turnover and someone else score it in the corner.”
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It’s an old-school attitude from a player who has done it the hard way, one who could probably teach his new teammates a bit about resilience.
Born in Timaru and brought up in Ashburton, mid Canterbury, Lamborn left school at 16 and was determined to give rugby a proper crack.
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“I knew I had something there,” he said. “I knew I was naturally pretty gifted – a few of my friends and coaches said that. I went up there and gave it a good shot and managed to make the academy. I made the Magpies’ full squad in 2011 or 2012 so I’ve been around for a while. I played a season for the Hurricanes and finished up there when we won it [2016].”
That year Lamborn travelled to the USA where his father, Jack, was born, and played in the MLR professional league. He made his test debut for the States the same year and represented the Eagles at last year’s World Cup in Japan.
“I always knew that was an option,” Lamborn said of representing the US. “Obviously when I made the Hurricanes I wanted to give the All Blacks a good crack but in the No7 jersey those days was Ardie, who had just made, it, Sam Cane… It was a tough decision to make but once I made it I wanted to give 100 per cent to the States and there was no turning back. I haven’t regretted it at all.”
At the World Cup, Lamborn’s team lost all four matches to England, Argentina, France and Tonga.
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“I didn’t enjoy losing so much; I knew we were a much better team than that and it was pretty frustrating to go down, especially when we were leading against France – we could have beaten them – and Tonga in the last game.”
The @BluesRugbyTeam are desperate for a win this weekend with the Crusaders coming up next week.https://t.co/V3dJdAiYfq #SuperRugby
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 5, 2020
But the opportunity and occasion – witnessed by mum Sari and wife Abby – made it all worthwhile. His Blues call-up came as a result.
“Just seeing how proud my family was,” he said of his World Cup highlight. “That really made it for me and I knew then that that was the best decision I could make – playing for the US. Even though my old man Jack is an All Blacks supporter, he was also very proud of me.
“I’m grateful Leon and Tom Coventry noticed my form during the World Cup and liked the style I bring. They thought I’d bring a different attitude and personality to change things up here.
“I think the boys were a bit shocked at the start because I’m a bit out there. I guess you could say I’m a bit crazy – I enjoy rugby but I also enjoy the banter with the boys and some weren’t quite used to that but they’ve taken to me with open arms.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Featuring a host of international stars including Dan Carter, Samu Kerevi, Duane Vermuelen, Brodie Retallick, Andy Ellis, Matt Giteau, RG Snyman, Tevita Li and more! Catch up on all the highlights from Round 4 of the Japanese Top League:
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments