Rugby: Thumbs up for fiery Flavell

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland Blues lock Troy Flavell is a great All Black prospect, the best new player to emerge in years in New Zealand.

It is a big wrap and an even bigger statement when you discover it comes not from close colleagues but Dave Brockhoff, seasoned Australian rugby player, coach and supporter.

Brockhoff is a long time admirer of New Zealand rugby too, and acknowledges its significance in dragging Australia to global rugby honours. That explains his current crusade to persuade Sanzar that a fourth Super 12 side based in Australia is mandatory.

And how Brockhoff would love, were he eligible, to have Flavell or someone of his promise in that team or, even better, in the Waratahs who play the Blues at Eden Park tonight.

"I've seen him play a few times and though he is detached from discipline he can control that energy. I've alerted all the Waratahs about the respect they need to show him," said Brockhoff.

"He has great strike power, high skill rate and I am in love with that. He might get a lot of marching orders because opponents will taunt him and force him into an early shower.

"But he has that natural wild animal instinct and is a very interesting rugby prospect as he redevelops his aggression. As a lock he works hard in the engine room, is strong and quick with fine peripheral vision."

He sees many similarities between Flavell's rugby style and that of Waratah lock John Welborn, who Brockhoff worked with so he maintained his aggression but put it to better use.

"You need those sorts of players in the tight work, they are invaluable," Brockhoff added.

For most of his rugby life Brockhoff envied New Zealand and its rugby players. After touring New Zealand as a Wallaby loose forward in 1949, then two terms as national coach, Brockhoff espoused Kiwi rugby values.

He is puzzled by some recent stumbles but assesses his favourite Waratahs will have to work overtime to get an historic first victory against the Blues tonight. The loss of Wallaby prop Richard Harry would hurt a great deal for a side not yet up to the expectations of coach Ian Kennedy.

It is a team rated only third-grade by former Wallaby captain Mark Ella after the defeat against the Cats. Ella's comments after the Waratahs latest bumbling loss to the Sharks have not been recorded. They may be unprintable.

The Waratahs were also ill at ease after finding their access to Eden Park reduced. Manager Tony Edwards said he would make a formal complaint about the issue.

An initial training request coincided with the Blues' schedule and at another time the Blues colts were using the ground. The Waratahs finally squeezed in a brief session but it was "unnecessary if we are treating each other like this."

The Blues' desire to get Adrian Cashmore back for this game failed yesterday with Hayden Taylor named as fullback and goalkicker.