The autumn test match window opens this Saturday, with the All Blacks traveling to Yokohama to face the Brave Blossoms. And in the team composition which will face Eddie Jones’ Japan, we find Cam Roigard, back after long months of absence. His presence as a starter to the detriment of TJ Perenara and in the absence of Finlay Christie necessarily raises questions about the future of the Blacks at the scrum half position.
It had been one of the revelations of the year 2023, in the land of the long white cloud. Cam Roigard was slowed down in his progress last spring (March 30, with the Hurricanes against the Highlanders), affected by a serious knee injury. It was only two weeks ago that he was able to return to competition. “It was great!he reacted today at a press conference. Obviously, it required a lot of work with the medical staff, physiotherapists, etc. But we all wanted to make sure I was ready, without rushing in any way. And I didn’t feel any particular discomfort. I was delighted to start again with the Counties guys.”
Often well placed, Cam Roigard managed to score three tries in three matches at the World Cup. Icon Sport – Sandra Ruhaut
Engaged in NPC, the Counties Manukau Steelers did not go further than the quarter-final, beaten by Wellington (who will play their final this Saturday at 4:05 a.m. against Bay of Plenty). But for the last day against Manawatu (26-45 victory) and for the quarter (29-14 defeat), the players from the Auckland suburbs were able to take advantage of Cam Roigard, who had lost none of his talent: 2 tries for his return, and another in the NPC quarter. “Obviously, I was a little rusty but that’s normal when you think about these long months of stoppingtestifies the 23-year-old scrum half, captured by the New Zealand Herald. But being able to play against Wellington in the quarterfinals was nice, especially since I found teammates and members of the Hurricanes staff there. […] There’s always a bit of tension when you come back, you don’t know if you’re going to be caught, there’s the fear of relapse… But I was able to score, tackle and run, quite quickly. It helped with the recovery!”
The succession of Smith and Perenara to be ensured
This thunderous return to competition earned him to be called up for selection for the first time under Scott Robertson’s tenure. “It seems so long ago, since my injury six months ago. But the opportunity to fly to Japan tomorrow is so exciting!” This fall, the All Blacks have a heavy program. After the Brave Blossoms in Yokohama, the teammates of Patrick Tuipulotu, named captain for this first test, will meet in England, Ireland, France and Italy. For Cam Roigard, these are all opportunities to show himself again with New Zealand: “Personally, all I care about is getting the black jersey back. Whatever the game is. And I want to make sure I’m ready for that, and grab the opportunity with both hands.”
In his absence, and after the international retirement of Aaron Smith, Scott Robertson had the chance to find TJ Perenara, recovered from his long convalescence following the rupture of his Achilles tendon. Having taken the “extremely difficult decision” to dismiss Finlay Christie, the former boss of the Crusaders justified it by the fact of “create competition and opportunities for as many players as possible”. By this, he meant to open the door to Cortez Ratima (23 years old) and Noah Hotham (21 years old).
Cam Roigard faces competition at his position. Icon Sport – Sandra Ruhaut
If the second, a rising star of the Crusaders, has more the profile of a player in the making – he has only had one selection, his first, against Fiji – the first, holder of the Chiefs, had all the confidence of his coach, who fielded him for the eight matches played by the All Blacks this year (six in the Rugby Championship and 2 tests). “He’s been very good. He’s been improving for years, and I always knew he was going to break through because he’s a great athlete and a great playerpresents its competitor. Today I only have five tests. I am the least experienced number 9 of the current squad.”
For a place behind the pack, it is Ratima who will fight with Cam Roigard, behind the unbeatable TJ Perenara. “His contribution is considerable, and undoubtedly underestimated with the Hurricanes. Counting on players with such experience (32 years old, 87 caps)it’s gold.” Before his injury, the student had managed to steal the starting place from the master, with the Hurricanes. And this pattern could well be duplicated, due to the announcement of TJ Perenara’s international retirement at the end of the calendar year. In question, a transfer to Japan of the latter, to the Tokyo Black Rams, which makes him ineligible from 2025. In any case, it is a nice door which opens for Cam Roigard…
