Sexton resists the lure of foreign cash

By WYNNE GRAY

Matt Sexton has to be the sort of rugby professional every New Zealand Super 12 coach searches for.

His profile suggests he should be overseas earning pounds, Euro dollars or yen from his rugby trade.

He is 30, has the experience of a decade in first-class rugby, is well-educated, consistently performs at the top levels of New Zealand forward play and is nearing the end of his career.

Time to trip off like other Crusader colleagues Angus Gardiner, Mark Mayerhofler, Mark Weedon and Steve Surridge, who have been lured by the lucre.

Not for the hooker who has been battling Mark Hammett for the past eight seasons for selection in the No 2 jersey for Canterbury or the Crusaders.

Like most, he has received offers. But the pull of New Zealand's lifestyle, the mix of work and sport and some unflattering stories of overseas rugby contracts have kept him at home.

He did not join the list of those who chose overseas offers rather than this Super 12 season, top-grade players such as Josh Kronfeld, Adrian Cashmore, Andrew Blowers, Dylan Mika, Walter Little, Nick Holten, Isitolo Maka, Glenn Marsh, Alama Ieremia, Norm Berryman and Mayerhofler, whose absence is hurting the country's Super 12 resources.

As a frontliner or reserve, Sexton is good value. He's on the bench for the match against the Reds at Jade Stadium tonight, this time making way for Andrew Hore.

Every franchise covets players with more experience, though that maturity was not always with Sexton or the Crusaders.

In 1991 he made his first and only All Black trial at Rotorua. His team was given time off and Sexton, a keen fishermen, shot off to try his luck in the local lakes.

"They called a sudden team meeting and extra lineout drills and I wasn't there. I came back with three pearler rainbow trout and it wasn't a good look.

"I was a young fella, it was my first chance at the big stuff and I did not present myself too well. I did not realise what a chance I had."

In much the same way, the Crusaders did not embrace professionalism properly in the 1996 opening season of the Super 12.

"We got stung. We had a dreadful season but we made a commitment never to go back. We learned how to win, we worked extremely hard.

"We still keep things fresh and improving. All our coaches have been innovative and you can see by the way guys such as Todd [Blackadder] and Mehrts [Andrew Mehrtens] always feel interested."

Sexton is one who embraced the message national coach Wayne Smith delivered this week about the need for all professionals to do extra skills practice.

"Yeah, I would do two or three sessions a week by myself on some aspect of the game," he said. "It is crucial if you are looking for continual improvement."

Sexton also works for Montana Wines. Before that he was a teacher, lectured on alcohol and drug education and did some postgraduate study on human resources.

"You get a bit stagnant if you do not do some other work. You need to get refreshed.

"People at work keep you honest, they keep you in touch with the world outside rugby, they give you a proper perspective."

The outlook for Sexton is New Zealand based. His wife wants to stay here and they love holidays at Wanaka.

"I have heard of too many who have not enjoyed overseas," he said. "I love my rugby, the Super 12 is the best competition, but if it turns to custard I have a job as well. I feel secure here."