The year Brett fell apart

BY RICHARD KNOWLER

Last year was meant to be the "big one" for Stephen Brett.

With All Blacks and Crusaders second five-eighths Aaron Mauger having moved to England, Brett was not only being heralded as an automatic selection at No 12 for the Christchurch-based franchise - he was also being touted as an option to play outside Dan Carter with the All Blacks.

It was not only Mauger's defection that had tipped the scales in Brett's favour; Luke McAlister was also out of the picture after joining the post-World Cup exodus, and with Ma'a Nonu struggling to win the national selectors' faith, Brett was thought to be a real contender to start in the All Blacks backline.

Fat chance; 2008 turned out to be a fizzer.

Injuries and a loss of form meant Brett not only missed out on the All Blacks, his Super 14 season also copped a serious blow when Crusaders coach Robbie Deans preferred Tim Bateman at second- five for the playoffs.

After being hyped around the country as the next big thing to come out of Crusaders, Brett's year fell apart.

Firstly, he was sidelined for almost a month with a shoulder injury in the Super 14, and even though he returned to replace Carter (who had badly sprained his ankle) and started four matches at first five- eighth, Deans sprung a surprise when he picked Bateman at No 12 for the finals.

Then Brett injured his quadriceps muscle playing for the New Zealand Maori and continued to be plagued by it during Canterbury's Air New Zealand Cup campaign.

His dream year had turned into a nightmare.

"You could say that," Brett says. "It was just more frustrating, really. I would think it [his quadriceps injury] was right, then I would come out to training and, nope, it was no good and then I go out the following week and it would just repeat itself.

"Then I did it again against Hawke's Bay and it was all over really."

Brett was aware of the hype that surrounded him before the rugby season began, with fans and pundits around the country having noted his pace and ability to break opponents' defensive lines with Canterbury and believing he would transfer those skills into the Super 14.

"That was the frustrating bit. There was so much talk and I wanted to show something for it, but I couldn't really do anything because I was always bloody injured.

"It was a frustrating year for me. It's a new year and hopefully a fresh start for me."

Despite being only 23, Brett is now in his fourth season with the Crusaders after making one appearance as a substitute in 2006 but is already mindful that he needs to take extra care of his knees which were operated on over the off-season to tidy up some loose cartilage.

"I have to take it a bit easier this year and look after them. I just need to ice them up after trainings and put compression bandages on . . . Just doing all the basics well that you can do to help the knees out."

With Carter skipping the Super 14, Brett has set a goal of cementing himself in the Crusaders backline and in his preferred position at first- five.

"It definitely is. With 'DC' having left a hole at No 10 but Sladely [Colin Slade] is contesting for it as well, so we will just have to wait until February 14 when we play the Chiefs to see who gets the 10 jersey."

While Carter still has an iron claw clamped around the All Blacks' No 10 jersey, there is still a chance that Brett, if he can remain injury- free and produce consistent performances, will burst onto the international scene.

Questions remain as to whether Stephen Donald is the best option as Carter's backup and All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith may yet consider giving Brett a run if he remains injury-free and produces form.

- © Fairfax NZ News