The snowball effect that saw Lachlan Boshier named Super Rugby MVP and catapulted him into the All Blacks selection frame
After almost five seasons of Super Rugby experience, Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Boshier was first called into the Chiefs in 2016 when both Mitch Karpik and Sam Henwood were struck down by injuries.
The former New Plymouth Boys’ High student made just a handful of appearances that year but has been a mainstay in the Chiefs ever since and is on the cusp of playing his 50th game for the franchise.
While Boshier has always been a reliable force for the Chiefs around the park, 2020 has become somewhat of a breakout season for the breakdown specialist – at least from the point of view of your average rugby fan.
For Boshier, however, it’s business as usual.
“I don’t think I was playing too differently,” Boshier told RugbyPass re the five games he mustered before the Super Rugby season was called to a standstill.
“Maybe I was getting a few more turnovers, which maybe people started talking about – but I’m definitely feeling that that sort of snowball effect.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9QOEBmgN-K/
‘A few more turnovers’ is probably an understatement.
In the Chiefs’ first two games of the season against the Blues and the Crusaders, Boshier forced nine turnovers.
Super Rugby’s next best pilferer, Marnus Schoeman of the Lions, has managed eight turnovers in six matches.
Boshier is now sitting on 13 forced turnovers from five matches – but it’s not just the quantity of the turnovers that has everyone gushing, it’s the quality too, with a number of the steals coming while on defence inside the 22 or immediately after the opposition have made an incisive break.
Just four penalties conceded shows that the Taranaki loose forward is also picking his moments and executing well.
And while Boshier’s further down the pecking order in tackles, he’s still the 14th busiest player on the competition on defence.
Statistically, at least, Boshier started his campaign with an absolute hiss and a roar – which saw him crowned New Zealand’s Super Rugby MVP of the season.
Boshier is happy to be recognised for his performances to date but accredits much of that recognition to the snowball effect.
“I think people start talking and then more people are just hearing what others are saying sort of thing – I’m not too sure,” said Boshier.
“I’m pretty happy with my game this year but I definitely think the media have blown it up quite a bit, which has got people talking more.”
Five of last year's World Cup @AllBlacks have left New Zealand. How will that impact Ian Foster's first squad of the year, which may have to be picked on just the seven rounds of Super Rugby that we've seen so far in 2020? #AllBlacks #SuperRugbyhttps://t.co/WTohoI16W3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 18, 2020
The fact that a slew of experienced loose forwards departed New Zealand’s shores at the end of last year – including Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, Jackson Hemopo and Elliot Dixon – hasn’t been lost on Boshier.
“Maybe that sort of cleanout after the World Cup with a few big players gone means they need to talk about someone else,” Boshier said.
Still, like all New Zealanders, the loose forwards end goal is very much national selection.
Boshier was a member of the 2014 New Zealand Under 20 side that finished in third place at the World Championships held on home soil. That side featured several of his future Chiefs teammates, including Atu Moli, Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie – three men who are all now a part of the national set-up.
“I don’t really think about it too much but it’s obviously in the back of my mind,” said Boshier.
“Whether I make it or not is a different story but it’s definitely the goal.”
It’s his Chiefs teammates that Boshier credits for the progress that he’s made since he joined the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby championship winners, particularly their healthy stocks of 2020 loose forwards.
Alongside Boshier and Karpik, the Chiefs have access to All Blacks Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson, Canadian captain Tyler Ardron, Taranaki blockbuster Mitchell Brown and young up-and-comer Dylan Nel.
The exact make-up of New Zealand's new-look loose forward trio won't be known for a while, but it's already pretty clear who'll be part of the mix, writes @TomVinicombe. #SuperRugby @AllBlacks #AllBlacks https://t.co/0eVdag2iDF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 23, 2020
The presence of three specialist openside flankers, Boshier, Karpik and Cane, ensures that there’s plenty of competition and motivation.
“It’s been us three for a while now. I think it’s been good for all three of our games,” Boshier said.
“We sort of feed off each other and that competition is good. We’re always going hard against each other at trainings and always learning off each other or picking each other’s brains.
“I definitely know all three of us enjoy having each other around. We sort of wouldn’t have it any other way, really.”
The abundance of specialist fetchers has also forced Boshier to become a bit more flexible, slotting onto both the open and blindside flanks.
“I’ve sort of mainly played seven growing up and obviously with Sam here I’ve been on the bench or not playing but being able to fill in at six,” said Boshier.
“I think that’s been good for my game, adapting to wherever – but I don’t really see too many differences going on there. You’re sort of trying to do the same thing. Seven’s attending the first ruck or first presence whereas six, maybe second or third, which I’ve adapted to.
“I’m just happy to play wherever, whether it’s on the field or on the bench – just whatever’s best for the team, really, I’m not too fazed.”
Any hopes of an All Blacks jersey – or even a Chiefs jersey – may have to be put on hold for the near future, however, with rugby at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic. Boshier is happy to bide his time and wait.
“I would have liked to just keep it going, keep the momentum rolling but it’s just the way it is,” Boshier said.
“It’s a bit of shame, having to put it to the side, but there are obviously bigger things going on in the world and you want to just kick that in the butt first and hopefully things will start sort of making their way back to normal and we can get into it again in the future.”
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments