Kieran Read makes bold All Blacks call on Crusaders star despite departure rumours
All Blacks legend Kieran Read and Crusaders star Braydon Ennor at Super Rugby Pacific launch.
All Blacks legend Kieran Read thoroughly believes that Braydon Ennor will be in contention for a Test call-up if he continues to play as well as he did at the weekend.
That is despite reports linking the 27-year-old with a move away from New Zealand, with French outfit Perpignan said to be interested in his services.
Ennor has endured an injury-ravaged couple of years and only made his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance of the season against Western Force on Saturday.
Starting at centre, the talented centre impressed as the Crusaders dominated the Australian team and claimed a 55-33 victory in Christchurch.
Trying to impress the main man
Read, who knows Ennor well having played with him at Super Rugby level, rates him very highly and reckons he will alert the attention of Scott Robertson if he continues in the same vein.
“We just haven’t seen the best of him with injuries and not quite getting a run with selection at that very top level,” he told Sport Nation’s Beaver & Guy show.
“I was there live and it was an amazing game to watch, but his ability to catch and pass all in one motion – he did that two or three times that led to tries – is something that some of the other centres around New Zealand haven’t traditionally been as good at. That’s a point of difference.
“I guess for him, he will just be wanting to string some games together to get some more confidence in the body, but those little touches is what you want to see. If he keeps that up, I’m sure Razor will be pretty interested.”
Ennor’s creativity in the outside channels enabled the wide players to thrive against the Force as wing Macca Springer scored a remarkable five tries, equalling the Super Rugby record.
Fellow back-three speedster Sevu Reece also enjoyed himself, touching down three times in the rout, as the Crusaders continued their good start to the season.
Third season with the Crusaders
However, it was Springer – a 21-year-old flyer in his third campaign at the Christchurch-based outfit – that took all the headlines.
He is another player who could have a big future at international level but only if he can repeat those types of performances regularly.
“For Macca, he’s quite a big unit, he’s got a bit more size than maybe what you think about him. He’s always had talent,” Read added.
“It’s always hard when you’re this schoolboy talent and doing really well when you’re really young to then jump into that top level and perform straight away. It’s taken a couple of years in the environment.
“Obviously, he missed the start of the season and has a point to prove but is maybe a bit more confident around his ability as well. He got the opportunity on the weekend and when you’re scoring five tries, you’re in great nick.”
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