Mathewson to quit Hurricanes for Blues
By SAM WORTHINGTON - The Dominion Post
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Super 14
Wellington rugby is full of movement - both on the field and off.
The 41-7 trouncing of Northland in Whangarei yesterday was Wellington's third successive bonus-point victory and the Lions remain third with two rounds of the NPC to play.
And one of the architects of Wellington's resurgence, livewire halfback Alby Mathewson, has confirmed he will play for the Blues next season.
With Piri Weepu standing in his way at the Hurricanes, the one-time All Black has decided to move north where he will likely vie with Auckland's Taniela Moa for the No9 jersey.
While pen is yet to be put to paper, Mathewson, who scored a try yesterday, said he had mixed emotions about the impending move.
"I've played all my rugby in Wellington since leaving school and it's home for me," Mathewson said. "But I need regular game time in the Super 14 if I want to make higher teams. The All Blacks is a dream and a goal for me and I think this is going to be the best opportunity for me to do that."
Mathewson's departure opens the door for a new understudy for Weepu.
Taranaki's Brett Goodin, Manawatu's Aaron Smith and Hawke's Bay's Chris Eaton are the other first-choice halfbacks in the Hurricanes region.
But Mathewson hasn't been completely lost to Wellington – he will continue to play for the Lions.
"There will be a loan back so it's a good decision for Alby and it doesn't affect Wellington rugby," Wellington coach Jamie Joseph said.
Joseph also confirmed the Crusaders are hunting Robbie Fruean's signature.
Fruean, who has been demoted to the bench for the past two games, will struggle to break into a Hurricanes' backline including Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Tamati Ellison.
On the field, Northland skipper Jared Payne made the perfect start to David Holwell's 100th game for the Taniwha, streaking away for the opening try.
But Wellington's high-octane play soon clicked into gear under the hot Northland sun, Hosea Gear (2), Tamati Ellison, Mathewson and Ged Robinson all crossing for tries.
It was hooker Robinson's first NPC try and he marked it with a memorable celebration.
A former Wellington under-19 cricketer, Robinson delivered a left-arm offbreak with the ball before appealing, successfully, to an invisible umpire.
The makeshift lineout continues to work well with Robinson throwing to just one specialist lock, Daniel Ramsay, as blindside Victor Vito is used as the chief lineout option.
"I am quite surprised at how well it is going, to be honest," Vito said.
Wellington's next match is home to a resurgent North Harbour at Westpac Stadium on Saturday before travelling to Blenheim for their final round match against Tasman.
While Weepu remains under an injury cloud, all of Wellington's All Blacks will again be available to play Harbour, including Nonu.
"We're getting those bonus points and the boys are really enjoying it," Mathewson said of Wellington's hot form.
"I think that's the thing that was missing a bit."
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# phillip rob wount start for any super 14 team you rekon? mate he mayed the jr ABZ from club rugby, how any people have done that? that means he over ways heaps of the 2nd 5z and centres in this country, if he moves to canturbury hel start.
Fruean would get a decent shot at the crusaders; Bateman is too small for a 13... I like him at 12 though.
James #5 I'll think you will find that the main reasons the Crusaders started winning was the fact that, in the week you mentioned, a certain Leon McDonald played his 1st game of the season and the forwards decided to play some rugby. As for Brett.. (Who was it that Cruden ran around 2 times on the weekend??) you Aucklanders can have him...
I'm a hardcore Blues supporter and although we have 3 titles to our name every other year has just been heartache.
The Blues should be commended for 'shopping' for players and being proactive. I agree in using local talent but at the end of the day it's a professional sport and you have to do what's best for the franchise.
As much as it pains me to say - gulp! - The Crusaders are the best in the business and their results speaks volumes.
Here are a few players that are NOT local but are Red n Black through and through:
Justin Marshall Norm Maxwell Richie McCaw Corey Flynn Rico Gear Leon MacDonald Scott Robertson (?) Reuben Thorne Brad Thorn Kieran Read Mose Tuiali'i Casey Laulala Caleb Ralph and probably many more.
So it's not always about local talent but more about every player believing in the team culture. I have hope that the Blues can rule once again. BLUES HARD!
Fruean will not start for any super 14 team in 2010. So he might as well stay with the Hurricanes for another season. But he might fancy his chances playing out of position with the highlanders although I can't imagine the Hurricanes letting another young star leave the region.
This will be the starting 13s for each team. Blues: Toeava/Tuitavake Chiefs: Kahui Hurricanes: Smith Crusaders: Bateman Highlanders: Shoemark
Dan Bowden out plated Stephen Brett?
When the crusaders took slade out of 10 and introduced Brett they started winning and made it through to the Semi. Now brett looks to be kicking his set shots better, I ( an Aucklander) would rather him to bowden any day of the week.
Brett is class, blues 2010 champs.
I really hope Rob Fruean goes down to Canterbury,especially Super 14. ..If he doesn't he'll just get dicked around by the Wellington Union,and it's ashame to see Alby Mathewson go....I think he's playing bloody well at the moment. Good Luck to the both of them.
yeyaaaa thata boy!!! ain't nothing gonna break his stride
smart moves - both for Mathewson and (hopefully) Fruean
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What are they doing do Dan Bowden? He played well for Auckland until he got injured. They're killing the guys confidence... He got called up to play for Auckland as an SOS for the blues like #1 said. Way to kill his confidence, and just when he was starting to find his form