Boshier comes home again

 

By Will Johnston

 

Taranaki's signing  once again of Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier is a huge step forward for the team.

 For a start, Boshier is a born and bred Taranaki man. He grew up on a farm in Auroa, went to New Plymouth Boys’ High School and played club rugby for New Plymouth Old Boys. 

 He represented New Zealand Under 20s, played 38 matches for Taranaki since 2014 and the Chiefs on 54 occasions.  All he needs now is to make the All Blacks and he has been through the typical rugby ‘pathway.’

 Boshier is one of the form flankers in the new-look Super Rugby Aotearoa competition with his ability to steal possession and be involved in everything. Most of the Chiefs’ turnovers at critical times come from Boshier with his speed and strength over the ball a standout. One who had similar attributes was Richie McCaw.  While it’s too early to compare the two, Boshier is surely destined for higher honours. 

 Boshier is also marketing gold for Taranaki rugby.  Sponsors and supporters love seeing players representing the province after watching them play first XV and club rugby.  Boshier isn’t the only one, there are many examples of other locals representing their province.

 We are incredibly lucky to hold on to a player of this talent – another province could have offered a higher fee sending him on his way. 

 In the past, Taranaki wasn’t able to secure its home-grown products like former Wellington, Highlanders and Rebels flanker Scott Fuglistaller, Hurricane Du Plessis Kirif, initially Ricky Riccitelli and Jordie and Scott Barrett. University draws players away and Taranaki cannot compete with that. Many are drawn back due to family and work, which is a win for the region. Some never return.

If you look at Taranaki’s championship-winning side in 2014, a large portion of those players played club rugby here and were classed as ‘locals’. They lived, worked and played club rugby here. Some just came for the paycheque and left shortly after.  

In saying that, several players were bought. When Taranaki won the championship that year it was forgotten where the players came from – the province’s name was in the trophy so who cared. Winning was a big deal and still is, but there is a healthy debate about local players versus bought players.

 There are mixed feelings in Taranaki. Some want local players representing the province. That happened over the last two seasons when the union simply couldn’t afford a large player roster – from a financial perspective – mainly due to Yarrow Stadium’s demise. 

 Taranaki didn’t do that well and was relegated. Not surprisingly there was dissatisfaction about the quality of local players in the team. It seems punters moan when they bring players in and win but moan when they have a team of locals and lose. 

 The answer is balance. 

 Taranaki coach Willie Rickards has been honest about the calibre of players he wants in his roster. In a 2019 Live Magazine interview, he said Taranaki wanted a big midfielder a few seasons ago. There were none in Taranaki that fitted that mould, so he looked elsewhere. He bought in Seta Tamanivalu. It’s a simple message, if there isn’t anyone here up to that level, then look elsewhere - but mould him into a local.

 While money is tight due to COVID-19, all Taranaki needs is a couple of first-rate backs and a stronger front row to complement the existing starting XV.

 Taranaki has plenty of talent here and has nurtured those they have bought,  or admitted into the Academy, who are now Taranaki players. 

 We are proud of Boshier, but expect him to be surrounded by a mixture of locals and players we don’t know. After all, it’s a competitive competition and winning does wonders for the sport.