The world’s greatest fly-half currently, Daniel Carter served an apprenticeship at inside centre, and now it is his understudy Stephen Brett’s turn.
When the Junior All Blacks take on Samoa on Saturday, Brett will be sporting the unfamiliar number 12 jersey on his back, after Ma’a Nonu was called up to national duty and Sam Tuitupou went down with an infected arm.
Coaches Ian Foster and Colin Cooper admit that they are unaware whether Brett has any experience in that position. Nevertheless they are confident that the move will be successful.
“I haven’t asked him if he’s played 12 for Canterbury,” Foster said.
“I’ve heard he has, some of his mates say he has, but whether that’s to get him in the starting line-up I’m not sure.
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“It’s an experiment, but one Colin [Cooper] and I have a bit of faith in,” Foster said. “It’s something we’ve done before. Last year we moved Cameron McIntyre out to 12 and I thought that was pretty successful.
“It was our intention to give Stephen a try (at 12). It’s just happened to start with game one.
“I guess we’ll be judged on whether its successful or not but we’re confident he has the skill set to play there.”
When the Junior All Blacks take on Samoa on Saturday, Brett will be sporting the unfamiliar number 12 jersey on his back, after Ma’a Nonu was called up to national duty and Sam Tuitupou went down with an infected arm.
Coaches Ian Foster and Colin Cooper admit that they are unaware whether Brett has any experience in that position. Nevertheless they are confident that the move will be successful.
“I haven’t asked him if he’s played 12 for Canterbury,” Foster said.
“I’ve heard he has, some of his mates say he has, but whether that’s to get him in the starting line-up I’m not sure.
.
“It’s an experiment, but one Colin [Cooper] and I have a bit of faith in,” Foster said. “It’s something we’ve done before. Last year we moved Cameron McIntyre out to 12 and I thought that was pretty successful.
“It was our intention to give Stephen a try (at 12). It’s just happened to start with game one.
“I guess we’ll be judged on whether its successful or not but we’re confident he has the skill set to play there.”
365 Digital
