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Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder - Source: Photosport -
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I've sat through a fair few rugby press conferences over the last six or seven years and the experience is almost always the same - a little drab, a little monotonous.
Usually the assigned coach or player trudges in, glum and grumpy. Usually he sighs, scowls at his meager audience and acts with as little interest in the assorted media as possible.
Nevermind his salary, his status, his guarantee of comfort are security. Nevermind that the public who religiously and dependably shell out for match tickets, merchandise and pay tv, should simply expect in return a small insight into the team they support.
More often than not, the rugby man appears genuinely resentful to be fronting.
The truth is, he is rarely asked truly challenging questions.
There are rarely truly challenging questions to be asked. It doesn't matter anyway, for he rarely gives an an interesting response. His comments are as manufactured and artificial as the environment he sits in.
Behind a fluorescent rainbow of assorted Powerade bottles (no colours are ever the same!), there's a fold up screen dotted with sponsors and brands.
He grumbles cliches about focussing on one week at a time and controlling the things he can control. It's emotionless and a bit cold.
Of course, there are exceptions. Perhaps I'm overly cynical about it all, but I for one savour the small breath of change that comes when Todd Blackadder speaks.
Nevermind rugby. Toddy is a gentle, humble, human being.
In his time as a player he captained Canterbury to Super Rugby titles. He captained the All Blacks.
But he wasn't what you'd describe as an outstanding, once-in-a-generation athlete.
He was no Dan Carter, no Sonny-Bill, no Richie McCaw. Toddy was good and fit and worked incredibly hard, but he was never blessed with unique or exceptional rugby talents.
Toddy achieved, because Toddy had a fantastic attitude.
I remember whenever he'd win a Super Rugby title, he'd stand on the podium and reel off a list of thanks.
"Canterbury, Marlborough, West Coast, Buller, Tasman..." - he'd spawl through a series of provinces he represented, most of which barely ever saw the players or team on their own turf, but blindly supported the Crusaders all the same.
As a coach he instills his attitude in this team. In an incredibly difficult season, where they've been forced to travel more than a hundred thousand kilometres, Toddy refused to allow his players to complain or whinge.
They couldn't use their situation as an excuse. He knew many of the people The Crusaders represent would do anything to leave Christchurch if they could. He knew a little success could do a lot for morale.
After a season, after crossing the Indian Ocean for the second time in eight days, Todd Blackadder fronted a press conference in Brisbane ahead of his Super Rugby final. He didn't slope in. He didn't scowl.
He didn't sigh.
He smiled and greeted the room and answered the questions cheerily and professionally. And when they were exhausted, he didn't immediately stand up and trudge off. He looked around the assorted press and said "Alright, thanks heaps for coming here guys. I really hope you all enjoy the game."
He was completely serious, totally genuine. What a small comment, what a difference.
They didn't win the final. They didn't deserve to. But considering everything, it's hard not to appreciate their effort.
And at the post-match presser, by the Powerade and the sponsor screen, when Todd Blackadder said "Nobody else could've achieved what the Crusaders achieved this year", I agreed.
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Post new commentPragmatist said on 2011-07-11 @ 14:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
Toddy is the reason I have supported Canterbury and the Crusaders since my arrival in NZ 14 years ago and I couldn't agree more with Jack. Toddy is a thorough gentleman and a great ambassador for our sport. A true All Black coach in waiting. Good on you, Toddy!!
mossmanboxer said on 2011-07-11 @ 12:28 NZDT: Report abusive post
Well i tend to think both teams deserved to win that night Jack. Nice to see a Jorno who is in touch with sport at its roots though. Your doing a good job mate, Keep it up. And could someone get rid of that devlin fella.