All Blacks: Scott Robertson’s verdict on ‘hell of an athlete’ who ‘needs footy’

Cam Roigard is set to make his first appearance for the All Blacks since the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the upcoming clash against Japan.

The 23-year-old missed the majority of the Super Rugby Pacific season after sustaining a serious knee injury which also saw him ruled out for the July internationals and the Rugby Championship.

After working his way back to full fitness, he came off the bench for Counties Manukau in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) against Manawatu and marked his return with a stunning brace.

“He needs footy”

His form and proven quality has earned him a recall to Scott Robertson’s squad for the clash against Japan and the All Blacks‘ northern tour where they will face England, France, Ireland and Italy.

While many star All Blacks players will leave Japan early to acclimatise in the United Kingdom for the clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, Robertson has all but confirmed that Roigard will not be part of that “crew” and will likely turn out against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms at the end of the month.

“He needs footy yeah, without naming the team,” Robertson said when asked if Roigard needed more game time.

“Look he’s a hell of an athlete as we know and the knee’s good, his decision-making has been really good, it’s just time on the field, hands on the ball and let the instinct kick in and we are starting to see it.”

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With TJ Perenara set to retire from international rugby after the November Tests, the All Blacks are searching for a long-term successor for him and centurion Aaron Smith – who brought his Test career to a close at the 2023 World Cup.

Roigard has been tipped to be that man even after Cortez Ratima’s stunning performances, particularly during the Rugby Championship.

Robertson spoke glowingly about Roigard and how his strengths perfectly fit what the All Blacks require.

“He brings a real dimension, especially when he gets quick ball,” Robertson noted.

“He has got a great left foot and his kicking style it compliments us, we got three left footers so he just complements us where we’re on the field and just creates with the length of his kick and height.”

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Roigard’s Test career so far

Roigard made his Test debut for the All Blacks last year under previous head coach Ian Foster, coming off the bench to replace Smith in the 38-7 victory over Australia in Melbourne.

A month later, he picked up his second cap in New Zealand’s final World Cup warm-up match, scoring his side’s only try in a 35-7 defeat to the Springboks at Twickenham Stadium. His performances saw him earn a place in the All Blacks squad for the World Cup, where he featured in the pool stage matches against Namibia, Italy and Uruguay.

In those games, he crossed the whitewash twice and set up a mindboggling six tries but despite that form, he did not feature again for the side for the remainder of the tournament.

The five-Test cap half-back will now look to add to his cap tally and press to become the first-choice number nine.

READ MORE: Scott Robertson: ‘We were going to bring Hoskins Sotutu in’ but All Blacks tour was ‘a step too far’