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Why Hurricanes halfback is being compared to Antoine Dupont
Six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall has compared Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard to one of the world’s best rugby players following the rising stars sensational start to the season.
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Roigard has taken this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season by storm, and has emerged as a genuine All Blacks bolter ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France.
In some ways, the Hurricanes No. 9 has revolutionised the halfback position in New Zealand – bringing a new approach to the game compared to some other players in the nation.
The scrumhalf has an elusive running game which has seen him star in a number of matches this season, including last weekend’s 29-14 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Roigard was one of the best players on the night, having finished with a try assist and another five-pointer of his own.
Playing against another World Cup hopeful in Folau Fakatava, Roigard made his mark in a highly anticipated New Zealand derby. The 22-year-old intercepted a Fakatava pass before running about 70 metres to the house for a score.
Roigard can do things that other halfbacks in New Zealand can’t, and has been compared to one of the current greats as a result.
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Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, former Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall compared the Hurricanes’ No. 9 to France captain Antoine Dupont.
“I had a look at Roigard on the weekend and he had 10 carries… he had 75 carry metres and one of that was his intercept try,” Hall said.
“You don’t see those kind of numbers in halfbacks in New Zealand, carrying that many times, and he’s consistently done that in this competition.
Cam Roigard goes yoink 🥷#HIGvHUR #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/riyCdkLBjr
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 8, 2023
“The only other player that you’d talk in World Rugby is (Antoine) Dupont, he has those kind of numbers around carry metres and being able to run the ball like that.
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“That’s what Cam Roigard… he has that running game which Fakatava was chosen for last year to bring something different.
“But he still has the great skillset of being able to get the ball out, he’s got a great pass and he’s got a great kicking game with the left foot option as well.”
The Hurricanes were dealt a cruel injury late last year when legendary halfback TJ Perenara ruptured his Achilles during the All Blacks’ end-of-season tour.
Disaster – and the season was still months away.
In his place, Roigard has more than held his own in the No. 9 jersey. The Counties Manukau halfback has made a seamless transition up to Super Rugby, and could be set for higher honours.
Former Blues captain James Parsons believes Roigard should be one of three halfbacks in the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad later this year.
“Aaron Smith, Brad Weber and Finlay Christie are quite similar players, and I do like the ability to have a nine that’s a little bit different,” Parsons said.
“Cam Roigard, (Folau) Fakatava and (TJ) Perenara are probably fighting for that one spot because I think those All Black coaches will want that point of difference.
“Obviously Aaron Smith is going to be there, and then it’s been Finlay Christie and Brad Weber for that second spot.
“Then they’ve got to go for something a little bit different and I think Roigard is probably leading the pack at the moment in terms of that third spot.”
But Hall had a different point of view.
The champion Crusader thinks Finlay Christie should go to France along with veteran players Aaron Smith and Brad Weber.
As for Roigard, Hall suggested that the rising star should be included in Ian Foster’s plans in some capacity – even as an apprentice.
“We talked a lot around guys that have had opportunities and played really well in Super Rugby seasons in World Cup years,” Hall added.
“Sevu Reece… Nehe Milner-Skudder having that one year as well.
“They know what they can probably get with Brad and TJ, and very similar to last year, they didn’t pick them and they took Fakatava to have a look at him knowing that you can pick TJ and Brad at the back end of the season.
“Get Roigard in there for The Rugby Championship, it’s three games… give him a go, if it doesn’t work out, at least you’ve given him a chance and you’ll be able to go back to the tried and true of the experienced players.
“There is not a lot of time and it will be interesting to see if the All Blacks do give him that opportunity if Roigard continues to keep playing at this level.”
Roigard and the Hurricanes are set to host the undefeated Chiefs in a top-of-the-table clash at Sky Stadium this weekend.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments