Chiefs

Leonard trying not to think about All Blacks

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Chiefs halfback Brendon Leonard is ready to show he’s more than just a supersub in this year’s Super 14. Leonard took what many thought would be Piri Weepu’s place in the All Black Rugby World cup squad last year after coming on and impressing as a replacement in most Super 14 matches last year.


This year he knows that the element of surprise has gone but he is so driven that it just makes him hungrier to retain his All Blacks jersey.


With Byron Kelleher having left NZ for France, Leonard stands a good chance of being the top No.9 when the All Blacks start their international season in June.


One must however not forget that at this time last year Leonard’s name was not being talked about in All Black circles and a good or bad Super 14 can make or break an international’s standing.


Leonard knows this and wants to be an All Black starter and that begins with the Chiefs and another player with the same idea is the highly capable Jamie Nutbrown who picked up an injury mid Super 14 last year.


But Nutbrown is back he’s fit and Leonard knows he’s equally determined. “I’ve tried to keep things simple from a personal point of view this year,” Leonard told RugbyHeaven.


“I’ve tried not to think about representative honours later in the year. I’m just trying to make sure that I nail down the Chiefs No9 jersey.


“I don’t think this year is going to be too much different in the tussle for the Chiefs’ No 9 but hopefully one of us gets a bit more continuity in that position. So my goals at this stage are pretty short and sharp and I’m keeping that way.”


Leonard is wary of that second-year syndrome that Carter sent a warning out to Kurtley Beale about last week.


“I came from nowhere as so many people have told me. I was an unknown quantity who was lucky to get some game time in a good Chiefs side and things happened from there.


“That surprise factor has gone now. I guess I just have to do the basics of the halfback better than I did last year that’s what I can work on.


“Maybe if my surprise factor has gone that means I can help someone else by giving the ball rather than running with it. I probably won’t get the gaps I did last year so I want to nail down my passing, my kicking and my defence the cornerstones of being a halfback.”


While he did feature for the All Blacks last year, there is still a lot of competition for his All Black shirt namely, Andy Ellis (Crusaders), Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders) and Piri Weepu (Hurricanes) are all recent All Blacks and Danny Lee (Blues) knows all about test rugby as well.


“Yeah it’s very competitive there are four or five or maybe more who have been good enough to play international rugby so there is going to be a real tussle to see who makes those positions later in the year.


“I’m not trying to worry about that too much.”


Leonard still only 22 believes he’s a better player than he was 12 months ago after having spent time with the All Blacks and earning nine test caps.


“I’d like to think so and I guess I’ll find out in the first few weeks because I haven’t played much [since the world cup]. Off the field I have learnt about how to be a professional rugby player, I’ve learnt how to look after myself a bit better. I want to put the stuff I have learnt on to the paddock.”

 

Super14.com  

 

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