Graham Henry praises the performance of Colin Slade during All Blacks’ Fiji encounter - Rugby
All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, has praised the performance of the Highlanders fly half, Colin Slade, in their recently concluded test match against Fiji. New Zealand kick started their international summer with their encounter
against neighboring Pacific Island side, the Flying Fijians, at Carisbrook, Dunedin on Friday, July 22.
Slade scored 19 points for the All Blacks in their 60 – 14 win over the Fijians. Slade scored a try, two penalties and four conversions before the All Blacks star fly half Dan Carter replaced him, in the 64th minute
of the game.
Henry has praised the performance of Slade in the game and said, “He went pretty soundly.”
The Christchurch born Slade started his provincial rugby union career with the ITM Cup outfit Canterbury in 2008. He played 39 games for Canterbury and scored 286 points before moving to Super Rugby.
The 23-year-old Slade made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders during the 2009 season. He played two seasons for Crusaders, in which he participated in 26 games and scored 50 points.
At the end of the 2010 season, Slade signed a new contract with the Dunedin based, New Zealand Super Rugby franchise the Highlanders.
Henry further added that Slade was taken off the field due to the problems with his knee. He added that he did not want to risk Slades health by continuing to play him with a troubled knee.
Earlier, Henry had hinted that Slade would act as the deputy of their first choice fly half, Dan Carter, during the 2011 Tri Nations tournament.
Henry, however, admitted that he understands Slade’s frustration. He said, “He's got a knee problem and that's why we replaced him early in the second-half. He'll be frustrated because of that situation.”
In replying to a question related to the overall performance of side in Friday’s match, Henry expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance in the match. He said, “We played well in patches and we scored some good tries.”
Henry further added, “We were inconsistent in our execution but it's what you'd expect. I think we've got quite a bit of work to do as a team but to score 60 points is pleasing.”
All Blacks will play their first match of the 2011 Tri Nations against the Springboks on July 30.
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