June 28, 2014. It’s a greasy and chilly night in Wellington. The Hurricanes are tackling the Crusaders at the Westpac Stadium and grimly defending an 11-9 lead.
With eight minutes remaining the Crusaders are attacking vigorously. Will the Hurricanes wilt? A turnover is poached by the home team and winger Cory Jane ferrets across field seeking space, but none is forthcoming.
Jane deftly chips ahead, a seemingly strange choice given he is impeded almost immediately after the kick. The only chaser for the Hurricanes is a lock.
Blade Thomson reaches the ball first, the bounce squirts perfectly into his chest and he bursts away from the Crusaders’ grasp, eventually dashing 55-metres for the winning try.
It’s a spectacular moment, Thomson admits he was “absolutely buggered” afterwards; earlier Blade had scored in the first-half.
During the 2014 ITM Cup Thomson enjoyed plenty of spectacular moments for the triumphant premiership winners, Taranaki.
He scored six tries and made 86 carries for a gain of 478 metres. Additionally he claimed 21 lineout catches and made 72 tackles, earning plaudits from the press and triggering whispers of a possible All Blacks berth. Thomson was coy when questioned about national selection.
“Obviously it’s the goal of every rugby player in New Zealand to be an All Black, but my only focus at the moment is on this campaign for the Hurricanes,” he says.
Thomson knows that cracking the Hurricanes starting XV as either a lock or loose forward will be tough. All Blacks Victor Vito and Jeremy Thrush, the hugely promising Ardie Savea, Wellington Lions captain Brad Shields and respected veteran James Broadhurst are all jostling for those positions.
After a breakthrough 2014 is Thomson poised to disrupt the established order at the Hurricanes?
“I don’t care where I play. I want to make a contribution even if I am not in the game day 23,” Thomson says.
Modesty, deliberate conformity, Thomson will be itching for regular game time.
The phlegmatic Thomson grew up in Auckland. His father Glen relocated the family to Gisborne when Blade was intermediate age to further his career as a mechanic. Thomson attended Gisborne Boys’ High School and made a huge impression in the first XV from 2006-2008.
In 2006 Gisborne won 14 out of 17 games and attended the National Top Four finals where they were third. In 2007 Gisborne claimed the mantle of national champions in dramatic circumstances. Gisborne foiled the unbeaten runs of two schools that were more fancied to claim honours.
In the Hurricanes’ regional semi-final against Wellington College, who had won 21 games in a row, Gisborne fought back from a 17-0 deceit to earn a draw. Thomson explains what happened next.
“Initially Wellington thought they had advanced by scoring the first try, but when the rules were checked it was the team that scored the most tries that advanced. We scored three tries to two and got through,” he recalls.
Thomson says the Wellington College game remains one of the most memorable games of rugby he has played.
“It was a real epic. It just flew by. Wellington College was stacked. They had Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Reg Goodes, Lima Sopoaga and Buxton Popoali’i,” he says.
At the National Top Four in Rotorua, Gisborne faced Hamilton Boys’ High School in the semi-finals. Hamilton had beaten Gisborne earlier in the year and had strung together 18 consecutive victories.
Gisborne conceded the first try and then had star midfielder Charlie Ngatai sin binned for a dangerous tackle. Gisborne dug deep and Roha Dalton-Reedy scored a try to level the scores. In a brutal struggle another draw appeared likely until Mitch Andrews ploughed over for Gisborne.
In the final Gisborne scored a comprehensive 35-24 victory over Auckland champions, Mount Albert Grammar School. Charlie Ngatai scored a record 20 points, Thomson recalls.
“It was huge to win the national title in a small town like Gisborne. Gisborne Boys’ is such a rugby school. The whole community rallies behind the First XV. It was a very special time,” he says.
Thomson was a shock omission from the New Zealand Schools’ team so he returned to school in 2008 for an extra year and attained national selection.
Ben O’Brien-Leaf is a local sports commentator, coach, referee and administrator in Gisborne. He recalls Thomson’s sporting feats with fondness.
“Blade is an outstanding athlete. As a rugby player he was hard, quick and extremely skillful. He represented his school in basketball and could cover the court in twelve steps and jump to the stars,” he says.
“His reach and large and nimble hands also made him a very useful volleyball player. His brother represented New Zealand in that sport and had Blade wanted to, he could have as well.”
Thomson chose to purse rugby. He shifted to New Plymouth in 2009.
In 2010 he was a member of the New Zealand Under-20 team that won the IRB Junior World Champions. In the final New Zealand annihilated Australia by a record score of 62-17. Telusa Veainu scored three tires, Tyler Bleyendaal amassed a record 23 points and Julian Savea announced himself to the world by being named player of the tournament.
Despite the impressive age-group résumé Thomson struggled for regular game time with Taranaki and sometimes missed home.
“Gisborne is like a fish-bowl. It’s a great place, the lifestyle is real chilled, but a lot of people are forced to leave to advance which can be tough,” he says.
Thomson made his Taranaki debut in 2011. In 2012 Thomson commanded more game time as Taranaki had a stellar season winning the Ranfurly Shield and making the premiership semi-finals in the ITM Cup.
Beauden Barrett played himself into the All Blacks in 2012. He kicked all five penalties in the Ranfurly Shield win against Southland, scored 19 points in the defence against Hawke’s Bay and then 29 against Tasman. Thomson says Barrett added an extra dimension to Taranaki’s game.
“We played a good style of rugby, really trying to use the ball and that suited the type of players we had,” he says.
In 2013 Taranaki unraveled. They lost seven out of 10 games and struggled for unity, why?
“We just didn’t click as a group. There wasn’t enough talk or buy in from the players,” Thomson admits.
Thomson improved his own standing though. He played every minute of every game and was named player of the year. He was selected for the New Zealand Maori tour of the United States and Canada.
Thomson’s eye-catching performances in 2014, which included appearances in over half of the Hurricanes fixtures, he attributes to greater confidence and fitness.
“I think my game has gone to another level. I feel fitter and stronger than I ever have,” he says.
“The conditioning and coaching at the Hurricanes is really good. The vibe among the boys is really good. Unlike last year we are taking nothing for granted. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
And then, there were four. While most of the favourites made it through without many issues, true to form, the lower-ranked sides put up…
The Melbourne Rebels players, coaches and fans were "hurting" after their season-ending loss to the Hurricanes, with the club axed from Super Rugby Pacific…
The Canes skipper was asked about his side's quarter-final win. Instead, he made the focus the Melbourne Rebels.
Lachie Anderson finished off this belter of a try as the Rebels lost 47-20 to the Hurricanes in the SRP quarter-finals, sending them off…
Brayden Iose got stiffed of his time in the limelight, with his teammates and referee James Doleman getting all the attention!
The Hurricanes will continue through to a home semi-final - but they had their work cut out against a resilient Melbourne Rebels. The 47-20…
