D2 WEEKENDSPORT Saturday, May 12, 2012 THE PRESS, Christchurch RUGBY Still Marshall wary no new coach of Rebels star Richard Knowler Tom Marshall is under- weekend, the Rebels were far If Canterbury have begun standably cautious about his Richard from despondent; it was searching for Rob Penney’s rare outing in the No 15 jersey labelled as their best display replacement they are keeping being ruined by the mercurial Knowler since joining the Super com- it quiet. Kurtley Beale. petition last year due to the Having accepted Penney’s Awarded his first start at way they opened up the South resignation last week after he fullback for the Crusaders Super 15 Africans with their link play, signed a two-year deal with since All Black Israel Dagg clinical handling and desire Irish club Munster, Canter- reclaimed the position against to keep the ball alive. bury are still ‘‘working the Cheetahs on March 24, running first-five who is not ‘‘When you play a team through their options’’ chief Marshall has several objec- afraid to take the ball to the like the Rebels it’s easy to executive Hamish Riach said tives to accomplish against line, so it will be interesting,’’ kind of go off the game plan a yesterday. the Rebels at Melbourne’s Marshall said. little bit because I’m Although he was light on AAMI Park tonight. ‘‘He has got all the tricks, predicting it will be quite an detail it is understood the The 23-year-old is wary of so you have to be aware of open game,’’ Marshall said. union’s management will dis- being exposed by Beale’s that. ‘‘But we really want to just cuss their options, such as multipurpose offensive game ‘‘And I have to be mindful, hold the ball and go through whether to advertise the and also of tumbling into the myself, of not doing anything them, and if we do that the position, before making a trick of attempting too much too over the top or too fancy. I points will come.’’ recommendation to the board in his first start since the just want to do my job well Although he was chased by who have not formally met to fourth-round. and do the little things right.’’ several franchises last season discuss Penney’s departure. Although the Rebels have Unlike Cipriani, who at and there has been specu- If advertised, the plum lost talented Wallabies utility times looked like he wished lation he could be lured to the position is likely to attract back James O’Connor with a he could vaporise himself troubled Blues as they try to plenty of interest. lacerated kidney and ex- rather than be involved in the rebuild their roster, Marshall Former Canterbury for- England international Danny defensive line before he was is contracted to the Crusaders ward Adrian Kennedy, who Cipriani has returned home, released mid-season, Beale is until the end of next year. played for the province’s A they have had few problems not averse to getting his He signed before Dagg’s and B teams in the 1980s and in coaxing the best out of shoulders and hands grubby. sensational performances at 1990s and has amassed around Beale in his return to first- Former Newcastle Knights the World Cup, yet maintains 12 years’ coaching experience five. representative Kupa Vuna he has few regrets. in New Zealand, South Africa, Beale, who switched to the and Mark Gerrard could ‘‘No. Even if I am not Italy and England, has con- Rebels from the Waratahs this potentially provide Marshall playing I can learn a lot from firmed he would be interested season, possesses an unpre- with challenges if he is just watching and training in applying if the job is dictable streak on attack. His isolated but whether the from these sorts of players. advertised. ability to embarrass defen- Rebels pack is capable of This is one of the best teams Kennedy now lives in ders with his sidestep or spitting out enough pos- in the world; there is no better Christchurch after returning exploit space with unexpected session for the wings to be a place to learn. It is a bit to the city from South Africa kicks can prove a nightmare constant threat is likely to be frustrating sitting on the last summer and is involved for unwary fullbacks. one of their major issues. bench and not getting game- with coaching Marist-Albion ‘‘He gives their attack Despite their 41-35 defeat to time as such but I have got a Expect the unexpected: Crusaders fullback Tom Marshall is well aware of the threat that Rebels star Kurtley Beale poses. in the Christchurch metro another dimension as a the Bulls in Melbourne last start this week. It is all good.’’ Photo: DEAN KOZANIC/FAIRFAX NZ club competition. In South Africa he was employed as forwards coach for Eastern Province and in 2008 and 2009 he was head coach for Blues finally snap Taranaki. Faumuina, Retallick likely for squad Despite chairman Stew Mitchell being overseas, the board can still meet in his Richard Knowler The departure of warhorse horror losing streak absence and the union will be Brad Thorn has reinforced aware of the need to appoint a Brodie Retallick and Charlie Williams’ case. Hansen will Liam Napier SCORERS head coach as quickly as Faumuina are tipped to be reluctant to ignore Wil- possible. Canterbury’s receive their first taste of life liams, who has amassed 73 A collective, but temporary, Blues 25 (Michael Hobbs, defence of their ITM Cup title inside the All Blacks bubble. test caps, and rely on Sam sigh of relief was felt in Alby Mathewson, Luke Braid begins against Tasman on With Steve Hansen prep- Whitelock, who has played 25 Auckland last night as the tries, Gareth Anscombe con August 24. aring to name a 35-man tests, as his senior second beleaguered Blues dodged 2, pen 2) Lions 3 (Elton Penney has already pub- training squad on Monday, rower. embarrassment with a 25-3 Jantjies pen). HT: 10-3. licly stated his assistant Tabai which will be hacked back to Weepu’s ballooning weight defeat of the Lions, which Matson, who he recruited as 30 on June 3, Chiefs lock will be ignored; his ability to finally broke seven weeks of his backs coach to succeed Retallick and Blues prop play halfback and first five- agony. uina being helped from field John Haggart, should succeed Faumuina should be among eighth and kick goals will With the backdrop of Pat in the second half wasn’t so him as head coach and those drafted into the new All ensure he is selected on trust Lam’s job being advertised, welcome. After a strong another assistant, Scott Rob- Blacks coach’s camp ahead of despite his form not the Blues could have easily season and with ability to ertson, should also be next month’s three-test series warranting such lofty recog- used that as another excuse play both sides of the scrum, retained. against Ireland. nition. for another poor perform- Faumuina could be out of All Matson and Robertson The 2.04m rookie Retallick, Second five-eighth Ma’a ance. Blacks contention with what would have expected to assist of North Canterbury stock, Nonu may be rundown after They could have pointed to could be a serious calf strain. Penney – who is set to leave has impressed Hansen with 18 months of nonstop rugby their nine injured players, or With the John Mitchell- with his wife and three sons his ability to handle the grind and his appearances against their uncertain future. But Carlos Spencer led Lions on for Ireland after he has of Super Rugby while Faum- Ireland could be limited to they didn’t. The clinical borrowed time – they are coached the New Zealand uina’s selection looms as a allow him to refresh for the aspect was again absent and it likely to be forced to merge under-20 team at next month’s rare ray of sunshine in a new Sanzar competition that sure wasn’t pretty. But at with the Cheetahs with the world championships in dreadful year for the Blues. involves Argentina. least there was enthusiasm introduction of the Southern South Africa – again this year Versatile props are among Wildcard selections will be for the cause. Possibly a pact Kings next year – having not because he was contracted the first names inscribed into rare. to take some pressure off the won since round one and the until the end of the year. squads by coaches and with There will be not likely be under-siege Lam. Blues’ losing streak dating Their futures are now in John Afoa heading to Ulster any of those from the Cru- The Blues had never lost to two months, expectations limbo while they wait for the following the World Cup, saders, where the usual the Lions, dating back to 2006. were non-existent. board to make a decision. Hansen is seeking a second suspects – the nine World Cup This was an average, low- Michael Hobbs finished A former All Blacks option to Ben Franks. winners – are expected to grade contest between Super the only bright patch of the midfielder who played five It is also obvious Hansen is recruited. Rugby’s basement batters. A first spell after waltzing midweek matches in 1995-96, prepared to cop criticism that, Tom Taylor may kick like hard watch is putting it through some woeful defence Matson began assisting in the early part of his term a machine and cover first and Big presence: Blues prop Charlie Faumuina could be an All Blacks bolter even though his team is struggling.