D2 WEEKENDSPORT Saturday, June 18, 2011 THE PRESS,

RUGBY hosting final in ? It just wouldn’t be right

Can the Crusaders in all was the franchise’s look elsewhere. He says the many have the wherewithal ? Westpac Stadium Crusaders’ requirements to Christchurch for whom a conscience consider hosting a Tony preferred venue for the July 9 final is ‘‘a for an air fare or a ferry has around 35,000 capacity pay match fees of between Super rugby victory would be Super rugby final in grand final should they make different beast’’ to a playoff crossing and hotel accommo- and the capital is cheaper and $97,500 and $165,000 to visiting a tiny ray of sunshine in a Auckland? Smith the last dance. Riach was at match and it needs an arena dation when so many in this easier to get to than Auckland teams for Super rugby playoff fairly gloomy year? I’m not talking about any pains to point out that the of Eden Park’s magnitude. city are facing uncertain for South Island-based fans. matches. After all, the And, what’s wrong with a silly superstitious stuff here; Crusaders weren’t counting This isn’t a time for economic futures in post- This is an extraordinary Crusaders are technically a Super rugby final in Nelson – how it’s wrong to whisper The bald facts their kakapo chicks before parochialism to rear its ugly earthquake Christchurch? season when the Crusaders visiting team, too, now they’re the Crusaders’ second city? about a final, let alone they’d hatched and that it was head. But is there something A South Island final – at will be in the red, not the required to play every game When prematurely plan for one still the round-robin phase, skew-whiff about a Crusaders Trafalgar Park or ’s black – and every last cent of away from Christchurch. lifted the Super 12 trophy for before you qualify for the will be played at Nelson’s after all. final at Eden Park – spiritual dowager ground, – revenue counts. Riach has a But would the Crusaders the first time at Eden Park in playoffs in the first place. Trafalgar Park. It’s not wrong to prepare home of Auckland rugby, would be much more responsibility to balance the reap that much more from a 1998, he said it was a victory However, I’m sure long- That decision was a contingency plans. Things Canterbury’s great rivals? accessible for the majority of books as best he can. He’s final in Auckland than they for all the Crusaders’ unions – suffering fans don’t definite no-brainer. Nelson is can’t be left until after the Would Manchester United Crusaders fans. done a pretty good job of that would in Nelson or Dunedin? Buller, West Coast, Nelson need reminding how an a vital part of the Crusaders’ semifinal and Riach is take a game to Liverpool’s Shut your eyes and picture over the years, apart from Perhaps they would attract Bays Marlborough, South announcement before Otago’s catchment, Trafalgar Park between a rock and a hard home ground Anfield if Old a cavalcade of cars snaking when external factors beyond the floating fan with a slick Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury 1994 has hosted three games this place, really. The Crusaders’ Trafford was unavailable? over Lewis Pass or charter- his control have intervened – marketing plan centred and Canterbury. challenge against Canterbury season and ground capacity players and coaches would I know there are scads of train carriages rumbling the earthquakes, the global around superstars Dan I can’t recall him mention- backfired big time. will be boosted to 18,000 by much prefer to play before expatriate Cantabrians living down the tracks towards recession and the AMI Carter, Richie McCaw and ing Auckland. The Crusaders confirmed next month with the Rugby their own people. They’ve in Auckland who would come Dunedin. The Crusaders Stadium redevelopment. . Press website poll this week that their first World Cup looming. made that perfectly clear over out in force to support the would get much more It would help him That’s all very well for the Go to www.thepress.co.nz playoff game – should Todd But Crusaders chief the years . Crusaders. But what chance is partisan support in the South immensely if the Sanzar corporate box prawn to vote on whether a Blackadder’s team complete executive Hamish Riach also But AMI Stadium has been there of rugby-starved Island. If management feel partners made a contribution sandwich brigade. But what Crusaders ‘‘home’’ final their regular season with a flagged – tentatively, it must out since the February 22 Canterbury-resident fans they must go to the North to the earthquake recovery about the grassroots fans – should be played in A: Nelson victory over the – be said – that Auckland’s earthquake, so Riach has to making the trip there? How Island, then what about cause by waiving the those stoic souls from B: Dunedin C: Auckland Todd worthy of Henry’s nod for All Blacks squad

Tony Smith ability is unquestioned, he’s open to ideals but he Could history be repeating challenges you at the same itself in Canterbury rugby? time. He’s extremely fit and Twenty or so years ago the he’s very strong.’’ province boasted New Todd is as respected and Zealand’s two top halfbacks. revered at Christchurch as he Bruce Deans and Graeme is at Kaiapoi. Mooar says his Bachop were All Black team- club loyalty shone through mates in the late 1980s. last year when he flew back to Now, many pundits are help Christchurch win the predicting Canterbury will club final after turning out for supply the All Blacks’ top two Canterbury against Tasman open-side flankers – 11-season in Nelson the previous day. veteran Richie McCaw and ‘‘He played 80 minutes up rising talent . there and then came back and Indeed, ex-All Blacks Richard played 80 minutes for us and Loe and was player of the day.’’ reckoned Todd should have Todd, who still pops down gone on the end-of-season tour to some Christchurch train- last year – before he’d even ings and watches the club’s played for the Crusaders. games whenever he can, says Todd, 23, prefers to shut his he was keen to instantly erase scrum-capped ears to such the memories of that defeat to speculation that he could join Tasman. ‘‘When you have a his skipper in the World Cup All Black in waiting: Crusaders Matt Todd pictured in ahead of the team’s Super 15 match against the bad game like that you want squad. at . Photo: IAIN McGREGOR to get back out there as quick ‘‘I’m just trying to focus on as you can. So it was quite [the Crusaders] at the selected for the national present the trophies at our seniors at Kaiapoi for that one good to get back out on the moment, on my first Super secondary schools team and junior prize-giving last year year.’’ paddock straight away the campaign and the challenges the under-20s – and he was on our club float at Todd, then 18, packed down next day. And we won.’’ that come with that.’’ the traditional pathway trod the Kaiapoi Christmas par- at No 8 and won regular Winning isn’t exactly a Run ended: Highlanders No 8 is brought down by openside flanker Luke Braid and prop Charlie If Todd makes the All by potential All Blacks? ade. He played for our seniors player of the week accolades new feeling for Matt Todd. In Faumuina in last night’s Super rugby match at Eden Park. The Blues won 33-16. Photo: JASON OXENHAM Blacks it will be his first Before switching to Christ- when we won the North as Kaiapoi won the compe- five years of senior footy he’s national selection. ‘‘I never church Boys High School in Canterbury competition in tition. It’s a treasured mem- garnered three club titles, two made a New Zealand age- his senior year, he spent his 2006. His mum and dad still ory because he got to win a national provincial cham- grade team,’’ he said without junior career with hometown come down to the club and his title with midfielder brother pionships with Canterbury Crusaders’ task clear-cut any tinge of disappointment. club Kaiapoi, earning North brother [Paul] helps coach our Paul. and the Ranfurly Shield. But many believe he has Canterbury and Canterbury seniors. ‘‘He was a big influence on Todd was expected to the ability to play at test level. Country representative Todd played for Christ- me growing up, he’s three slowly earn his spurs this The Crusaders don’t have to SCORERS ‘‘People often say is [Todd] honours. church BHS in his seventh years older, he always used to year as McCaw’s understudy. worry about any bonus point ready for the next step?’’ says The Kaiapoi Rugby Club form year because he ‘‘wanted win so playing [Kaiapoi But when the All Blacks permutations to become the Blues 33 (, Luke McAlister, Jared Payne tries; Brad Mooar, Todd’s former still very much regards Todd to experience first XV rugby seniors] with him was pretty skipper broke a bone in his top qualifier from the New 4 pen, 3 conv) beat Highlanders 16 (Matt coach at the Christchurch as one of their own. Kaiapoi and play in the Press Cup’’ – good.’’ foot pre-season, Todd took Zealand Super rugby confer- Saunders 2 tries; Tony Brown, pen, dropped goal). Halftime: club. ‘‘He’s proved that with president Graeme McDonald something Kaiapoi High But Todd – who now lives over the open-side flank and ence provided they beat the 17-11. each step that he is. You’ve said the club would claim him School couldn’t offer. It ‘‘two minutes from Rugby never looked back. Hurricanes in Wellington just got to give him the ‘‘as a Kaiapoi All Black’’ if he proved a smart move and he Park’’ where the Crusaders He’s benefited from a tonight. chance. I’ve got no doubt [he gets ’s nod. turned out alongside current train – went into town in 2007 punishing pre-season regime Despite the Blues posting a points, while the Crusaders coach Jamie Joseph this could be an All Black]. He’s He would be Kaiapoi’s first All Blacks prop , to join the Canterbury Rugby aimed at readying himself comfortable 33-16 victory have 57 ahead of tonight’s season, struggled in the latter dominated Super 15 rugby.’’ All Black since grizzled prop Nasi Manu, and Academy and play for Christ- physically for the ‘‘higher against the Highlanders in match. If the Crusaders can stages of the competition and Mooar predicted two years John Ashworth in the early as Boys High church seniors. stress and bigger collisions’’ Auckland last night, they beat the Hurricanes they end their campaign with eight ago, before Todd had even 1980s. McDonald says Kaiapoi won the Press Cup title. ‘‘We finished fifth that in Super rugby. ‘‘This is the were unable to score a fourth could earn a weekend off, but wins and eight losses. represented Canterbury, that would be keen for Todd to ‘‘The first year [out of year, then lost the final to Old time of year you work for in try and secure a bonus point if they lose they will face a They had the better of the the intelligent young flanker ‘‘register with us’’ again one school] I was going to go to Boys in 2008 and then won the pre-season, the business end which would have carried quarterfinal match next week- early exchanges last night was destined for bigger day – even if he would be Christchurch Colts but I was next two finals.’’ of the season. We’re at that them four points ahead of the end. before the Blues asserted things. unlikely to play. working out at Kaiapoi and I Mooar says Todd was stage now and it’s an exciting Crusaders. The Highlanders, who for themselves in trying con- So why was Todd never ‘‘We got him down to just decided to go and play outstanding to coach. ‘‘His time.’’ Instead the Blues sit on 60 so long impressed under new ditions. NZPA McAlister heads off overseas t>KD dK again, this time to

ƌĂŶƵŝ ,ŝŐŚ ^ĐŚŽŽů Blues midfield back Luke contract I returned home to be new chapter in our lives.’’ McAlister has confirmed he has near my family. This year, I’ve McAlister has 30 All Blacks test signed a three-year deal with really enjoyed my season with caps, 48 for the Blues and 50 for /E&KZDd/KE sE/E' French rugby club Toulouse. the Blues and I’m glad it’s not North Harbour. He made his All The 27-year-old will head to over yet,’’ McAlister said yester- Blacks debut in 2005 in the third dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ Ϯϯ :ƵŶĞ ϮϬϭϭ France at the conclusion of his day. test against the British and Irish 2011 rugby commitments in New ‘‘Looking ahead, the oppor- Lions. ϱ͘ϬϬ Ͳ ϳ͘ϬϬƉŵ Zealand. McAlister returned to tunity to play French rugby and He has represented New zŽƵ ĂƌĞ ǁĂƌŵůLJ ǁĞůĐŽŵĞ ƚŽ ǀŝĞǁ ŽƵƌ ĐĂŵƉƵƐ ƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ New Zealand in 2009 after live in France with my partner Zealand in three other national spending two years with the and children will be something sides – New Zealand Maori, ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉĞƌď ŶĞǁ ĨĂĐŝůŝƚŝĞƐ in Manchester. totally different to what we’re all Colts and . ‘‘At the end of my Sale used to, but it will be an exciting NZPA

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