Scottish scrum-half denied chance to partner Dan Carter

Peebles-born No.9 impresses for Blues but legendary No 10 is hit by injury

Finlay Christie in action for the Blues against Crusaders. Picture: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

Scottish scrum-half Finlay Christie has retained the No 9 jersey for the Auckland Blues but has been denied a dream half-back partnership with All Blacks legend Dan Carter, whose return to New Zealand rugby continues to be a frustrating one.

The 24-year-old Christie made a first start for his home city franchise in the Super Rugby Aotearoa after a number of bench appearances in the defeat by Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch last week. He performed well enough in the 26-15 loss – the Blues’ first of the season – to earn another start against his former team the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

Christie was born in the Borders and spent much of his first seven years in Peebles before the family emigrated to Auckland. He has dislodged Sam Nock for the starting spot but will not get to be part of Carter’s much-anticipated Blues debut.

Dan Carter's return to Blues has been hampered by injuries. Picture: AFP via Getty Images

The 38-year-old two-time World Cup winner and three-time world player of the year was due to be included on the bench after working his way up to match fitness but felt tightness in his lower leg shortly before the end of Blues training yesterday and has been held out of the match 23 at least for another week.

“He’s pulled up a bit tight. It’s nothing too major but we want to make sure we don’t risk anything with Dan,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said. “Obviously he’s working his way back with his conditioning.”

MacDonald said that, if the calf muscle injury was treated quickly, it could be fine within a few days, “but if you’re a little bit late it can be three to four weeks so it makes sense just to look after him.

“If he was 23 we probably would have said he’s good to go, but we wanted to err on the side of caution.”

A three-time World Rugby Player of the Year, Carter left New Zealand after the 2015 World Cup to play in France, then Japan.

Carter made the decision to return to New Zealand this year when the Japan league was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. He surprised many by linking up with the Blues after playing all of his previous Super Rugby for the Crusaders.

The Blues squad also includes current All Blacks stand-off and two-time World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett at full-back.

In the weekend’s other match, the Chiefs play the Highlanders on Sunday.

The domestic competition has proved a huge hit in New Zealand, where the pandemic was swiftly contained earlier in the year.

The derby matches have been played in front of full houses and record TV audiences. It has proved an antidote to a Super Rugby tournament which has become fragmented and a bit dull.

But Chiefs and All Blacks scrum-half Brad Weber said: “I’m a little bit torn because I enjoy going to South Africa and I enjoy playing against the Australians.”

Crusaders scrum-half Bryn Hall agreed: “I guess I’m just torn a little bit as well. I think as a consumer, if you’re a New Zealander, you love watching it. Think about Super Rugby Aotearoa, how much it’s been packed stadiums, quality rugby every single week. It’s tough, and I don’t think it is sustainable to have a competition with just New Zealand teams.

“Whatever the decision is moving forward, it just has to be a competition that is competitive.”

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