Canterbury loose forward Tom Christie has been named in the Mitre 10 Cup squad for the first time in 2018, but he joins the team with one first-class cap to his name already – a 2017 Premiership Final appearance. Christie took the field with five minutes to go in last year’s Mitre 10 Cup Final against Tasman, to not only earn his first appearance in the red and black jersey, but a Premiership winners medal as well.

The flanker spent three seasons playing for Shirley Boys’ High School in the Crusaders region secondary schools competition - now the UC Championship – and captained the side in his final year at school. He joined the Crusaders Academy in 2016 after representing the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ team. Christie’s other representative honours to date include Canterbury Under 19, Crusaders Knights, and New Zealand Under 20. He won the junior world championship with the Under 20 side in 2017 and went on to captain the team in 2018. 

Canterbury Head Coach Joe Maddock said Christie’s rise to the provincial side has been the result of years of dedication from the 20 year old: “Tom is one of the hardest working young players we’ve come across, and he’s earned his place in this squad off the back of some impressive form for Christchurch Rugby Club and the New Zealand Under 20 side earlier this year.

“Tom’s a tough, physical player who relishes the contact and does a lot of work around the park. He’ll learn a lot working alongside Reuben Thorne and our experienced loose forwards, and we’re excited to give him his opportunity in 2018 – he has a big future ahead of him,” Maddock said. 

Christie, who scored a try against the All Blacks in the Cantabrians’ pre-season Game of Three Halves and started against Tasman and Wellington in the opening rounds of the Mitre 10 Cup competition, said the opportunity to represent his home province has always been a goal of his: “As someone who has grown up playing rugby in Christchurch, I’ve always aspired to play for this team so it’s a huge honour to be named in the Canterbury squad this season and have the opportunity to represent my home province. 

“For me the challenge is to soak up as much knowledge as I can and learn from the experienced members of the team, but also have a voice and contribute as much as I can whether it’s at training or out on the field. It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to this year,” Christie said. 

Article added: Thursday 30 August 2018