Tasman pair join up with All Blacks [Nelson Mail]
Tasman Makos loose forwards Shane Christie and Liam Squire have both gladly cut short some much-needed down time to join the All Blacks extended squad for today's two-day North Shore training camp.
The stunned Tasman duo had been relaxing at opposite ends of the country this week in the wake of demanding Super Rugby campaigns - Christie with the Highlanders and Squire in his debut season with the Chiefs - only to learn that their services were required up north.
They're two of seven players who will provide cover for the All Blacks' Crusaders players who are preparing for this weekend's Super 15 final against the Waratahs in Sydney. Also included are Chiefs hooker Nathan Harris, Hurricanes' hooker Motu Matu'u, props Pauliasi Manu from the Chiefs and Highlander Kane Hames and Hurricanes' lock Jeremy Thrush.
Christie had been holidaying in Queenstown on Monday when he read on facebook that he'd been included in the extended 31-strong squad for the two-day camp.
As for Squire, he'd been resting up in his home town of Palmerston North when he received a call from All Blacks manager, Darren Shand, inviting him to attend the camp.
Both admitted genuine surprise at their inclusion, although both have also been in conspicuous form for their respective franchises.
Christie has been starring in the Highlanders' No 7 jersey and, although weary after a tough campaign, was only too happy to head north.
"I'm not too bad [physically] but I definitely need a bit of a break," Christie said. "I'm pretty buggered, but after a couple of weeks I'll be sweet and I'm looking forward to the Tasman season actually."
He wasn't sure what to expect over the two days.
"It's not a whole lot of training I don't think, it's mainly game plan and organisational stuff - that sort of thing."
He's been satisfied with his form this season although disappointed at the manner in which the Highlanders exited the competition at the hands of a powerful Sharks scrum.
"It was disappointing that we lost, but if we could have won a couple of scrums we would have won. They annihilated us [in the scrums]."
It was still a memorable season for the inspirational Tasman captain. "There's still heaps to improve on but I've enjoyed it," he said.
"We pretty much performed almost to our best. I think at times we were lucky to get away with a few games and were pretty unlucky to lose some of them as well."
Squire admitted he was "in holiday mode" when he received Shand's call.
"It was a bit of a surprise, I'm pretty nervous but it should be a good couple of days," Squire said. "I'm just looking forward to getting the chance to train in that environment and get a wee feel for it."
New to the Super Rugby scene this year, the dynamic 23-year-old loosie said it had been an unforgettable experience.
"I've absolutely loved it, it's been awesome up with the Chiefs and it's been a good move going up to Hamilton. That Chiefs environment is unreal.
"It was tough, definitely a step up from ITM Cup [but] you've got a lot of support there at the Chiefs. I've learnt a lot, so I'm looking forward to putting it out there [for Tasman] in the ITM Cup."
He said that defence was one area in which he'd made some improvement.
"I've learnt a lot off Wayne Smith, he runs a lot of the defence, and that's been pretty big for me, and I guess getting my confidence up with my ball-carrying. In the last three or four weeks of Super Rugby, I started to feel a lot more comfortable and started enjoying running around in a bit of space."
And, like his Maori All Blacks team-mate Christie, Squire said that his body had also come through the Super 15 campaign in remarkably good nick. "The body's sweet, I'm good to go. I think we start ITM Cup training next week so, no, my body's fine."
Plenty of off-season gym work and the Chiefs' comprehensive pre-season programme had improved his conditioning.
"It's definitely helped me physically this season."
As for the camp, he just wanted to absorb as much information as possible.
"I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm just excited to get the chance to go up and mix in with that group for a couple of days. I'll just be taking it all in and trying to learn as much as I can."
- The Nelson Mail
