Todd Blackadder

Todd Blackadder acquired folk hero status, especially in Canterbury, while leading the province and the Crusaders to a remarkable period of success in the national championship and in the Super 12 from the late 90s to the early 2000s. Despite his full hearted commitment and endeavour Blackadder could not quite manage the same level of achievement with the All Blacks, whom he captained throughout the 2000 season.

Blackadder was perhaps one of those players who proved that at the highest level there was a gap between the highest international standard and levels slightly below that. As a provincial and Super 12 player and even with the All Blacks as a midweek tourist or in tests against second tier countries matches Blackadder was invariably superb value.

But at the highest echelon, and for the All Blacks that has become in modern times tests against the Springboks, the Wallabies, the Lions, England and France, Blackadder through no fault of his own had limitations. He was one of those players who for all their fine qualities fell between two stools.

He could be effective either as a lock or in the backrow as either a blindside flanker or No 8. But even though he had a surprising turn of speed he was not quite nimble or athletic enough to be an exceptional loose forward. And as a lock his relative lack of height placed him at an enormous disadvantage when marking giants such as John Eales.

That was perhaps most exposed in the lineout malfunction which led to the Wallabies snatching their late victory over the All Blacks at Wellington in 2000.

For all that Blackadder achieved mighty deeds in New Zealand rugby and epitomised, with his devotion to any team for which he played, at club, provincial and international levels, all of rugby’s best values.

Though a product of North Canterbury, Blackadder first emerged in rugby while working on a farm near Collingwood at the top of the South Island. He represented Nelson Bays as a teenager in 1990 and from that union received an early break in a New Zealand Divisional XV on a tour of Australia in 1991. He returned to Canterbury in 1991 for the first of more than 100 games for his home province.

After appearing for national sides at colts, sevens and on the development tour of Argentina in 1994 Blackadder made the All Black side which toured Italy and France in 1995. In the 1994-95 seasons he had confirmed himself as a splendid all purpose forward with the Canterbury in the Ranfurly Shield successes of those seasons.

Blackadder was again an All Black on the 1996 tour of South Africa and by now his considerable leadership qualities were being recognised. By 1997 he was captaining both Canterbury and the Crusaders and on that year’s tour of England, Wales and Ireland he was the All Blacks’ midweek captain.

He finally gained a test cap when he appeared twice against England in 1998. But it was plain then that coach John Hart did not regard him as a genuine test player and after that he drifted out of contention and was not required for the 1999 World Cup.