Finlay Christie will enjoy a rare start for the All Blacks in the second Test against England – and, even better, at the home of his Blues team – but he says there is little danger of over-playing his hand as he presses his case to be a permanent fixture at halfback.
Christie, who made his Test debut in 2021 and has played 22 matches since, will start ahead of the injured TJ Perenara in the only change to the starting line-up to that which prevailed 16-15 in Dunedin.
Christie was tidy and efficient under the roof when replacing Perenara at halftime and he knows that’s all he has to strive for on Saturday.
"I’ll just try to have a cool head and play my own game," Christie said. "I won’t want to over-achieve or anything, just do what the team needs me to do. Obviously, we’ve got a great team with great players. We require everyone to play their roles."
He added of the Eden Park factor, a ground which would have become more significant to him following the Blues’ recent Super Rugby grand final victory: "I’m grateful enough to have it as a home ground for Super Rugby but it becomes extra special when you wear a black jersey and play there. It’s like the home of rugby for the All Blacks in New Zealand, I guess."
Christie, 29, is slightly unusual for the All Blacks in that he was born in Peebles, Scotland, and moved to Pukekohe with his parents when aged seven.
An English journalist today suggested a Kiwi with Scottish heritage might enjoy victories over England more than most, to which Christie replied: “If you asked my parents, they would say ‘yep’ but I try to focus on playing footy. Yeah, I guess any time Scotland beat England it’s a bit of a fist pump isn’t it?”
Christie’s kicking game was a big plus in Dunedin as the second-half descended into a war of attrition but he acknowledged he could improve across the board.
"Personally, yes I think I can be a lot better. Last week I think I put the team under a bit of pressure with my first actions. We all look to get better… I guess that’s the beauty of playing the same team twice."
England’s rush defence put the All Blacks under pressure last weekend – limiting them to two first-half tries only – but halfbacks escaped the worse of it, said Christie. "We’re not the ones getting smacked, so it’s not too bad."
However, he added: "It’s hard to play against, especially if you don’t win that breakdown area. They obviously brought a lot of heat with their defence last week. It’s something we’ve got to look at and try to win that collision area."
To that end, the All Blacks could take a leaf out of the Blues’ books as far as their forwards’ actions are concerned.
Vern Cotter’s men employed perfect forward-oriented tactics in the playoffs which culminated in a dominant effort from the pack which quickly shut the Chiefs out of the game.
Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima will play back-up to Christie on Saturday.
"We got on really well as soon as he came in," Christie said of Ratima, who is in line to make his Test debut. "I didn’t know him too well before this All Blacks team assembled. He’s a really good 9 and has had a great season. He has a great work ethic and is looking to learn as much as he can."
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