Blackadder relishes rare start
Ethan Blackadder is halfway through his fourth year as an All Black, and has played just 11 tests, with six as a starter. As frustrating as that’s been for fans of this rugged loose forward who looks tailor-made for the rigours of international rugby, that goes double for the man himself.
But there is hope on the horizon. Blackadder’s inclusion on the blindside flank, in place of the out-of-sorts Samipeni Finau, was one of the features of Scott Robertson’s All Blacks lineup to face Argentina in the Rugby Championship opener, alongside a form call on Anton Lienert-Brown at centre ahead of Rieko Ioane.
Other talking points included Will Jordan’s return to the test arena off the bench, TJ Perenara gaining the contestable starting halfback’s berth in his farewell campaign and Tupou Vaa’i and rookie Sam Darry forming a new-look starting second row as injuries continue to bite deep in the lock department.
Blackadder completes a rejigged loose trio alongside first-choice selections in skipper Ardie Savea and openside Dalton Papali’i, possibly benefiting from the hamstring strain that rules out Luke Jacobson, as well as Finau’s inability to stamp his mark against England (“He’s not selected this week,” noted a straight-faced Robertson) and by the fact he’s on the verge of stringing a third consecutive match together, which, if you’ve followed the Blackadder career, is nothing to be sneezed at.
The 29-year-old son of former All Blacks captain Todd has long been considered a potential game-changer as a test loosie with his mix of brute force, athleticism, skill and pure doggedness.
The only problem has been a body that, for all its aesthetic promise, has betrayed him repeatedly in recent years. He’s missed big chunks of campaigns for both franchise and country, which is why that test-cap count is so low.
“Definitely frustrating,” said Blackadder at the All Blacks’ NZCIS Wellington training base yesterday. “Just trying to string games together is the key. At times it’s been disruptive, but we’re on a roll at the moment.”
Blackadder, who played well at openside in the romp over Fiji in San Diego, was referring to the fact he was able to follow that with an outing for Tasman in their pre-season NPC clash against Southland last Friday. Two on the bounce represents good fishing for a man who’s sat stewing in the stands so much.
Blackadder revealed he’s been as proactive as he can in terms of addressing the array of injuries that have come so frequently. “A little bit has been waiting for the injuries to disappear, but I’ve got a lot of help from medical, and tried a few different things. That seems to be helping.”
He says stringing games together helps build confidence for an opportunity that, if he were the nervy type, might weigh heavily on him. In an ultra-competitive mix (former skipper Sam Cane didn’t even get a look-in, with young bruiser Wallace Sititi given another shot on the bench), Blackadder is well aware this is a chance to nail down a regular spot.
“I probably don’t burden myself [with
that],” he said, “but deep down you have your personal wee things you keep to yourself. I want to play the best I can for the team, and I feel like I’m building nicely.”
Robertson’s hand in the second row was forced somewhat by the injuries to Scott Barrett (finger) and Patrick Tuipulotu (calf) but he’s excited by the chance to thrust Darry in for his first start and reintroduce Josh Lord off the bench. “There’s some fresh blood coming through,” noted the coach. “Sam has been impressive since he’s come in, and Josh has worn the black jersey before and he’ll get straight up to the standard.
“It’s exciting. We’ve got a big 6’8 lock coming in and a 6’9 lock on the bench.”
Lienert-Brown’s selection is both hugely deserved for the veteran midfielder and a clear message to Ioane, whose distribution game has been short of the mark.
“It's a competitive position,” noted Robertson, saying Lienert-Brown’s effort in San Diego had got him the nod. “He’s been in great form all year, both sides of the ball, he’s a really good voice and a good leader in our group.”
And Perenara’s nod, back off a knee injury, at home in his final season as an All Black? “TJ is TJ … he’s one of those players who can walk into a test match and own it.”