Rookie Ross shines in Ali's absence
Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:56
Isaac Ross has been one of the few standout performers in what has been a difficult and gloomy start to the All Black' international season.
The 24-year-old Crusaders lock has started in each of New Zealand's three Tests against Italy and France and has been impressive while many around him have failed to come up with the goods.
With veteran lock Ali Williams likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season, Ross has all but confirmed himself a starting spot for the Tri Nations series which kicks off in three weeks time.
Apart form being a try-scorer in his first Test on his home pitch at AMI Stadium last Saturday, Ross also showed some of the skills that got him noticed during the Super 14 season.
Ross was modest in his own performance and said things definitely didn't go according to plan against Italy.
"Against the French we set a really good platform and tonight we sort of lowered the bar in the first half but we had a good look at ourselves and really stepped it up in that second half," he told Sportal New Zealand.
"But you can't wait until the second half in the Tri Nations so we've got work to do.
"We maybe went into the game a little bit lightly and you can't do that with Italy because they're a really good side when they're on form.
"We really wanted to set a good platform for the Tri Nations because we haven't really expressed ourselves the last couple of weeks.
"I think we were trying a bit too much in that first half rather than break things down and play for territory."
Ross has impressed All Blacks assistant and forwards coach Steve Hansen, who said the young lock has showed huge promise over the last few weeks.
"If you look over the last three weeks he's been the big positive," he said.
"His lineout plays been very good, his ball in hand stuff is good and he's hitting the odd ruck or so pretty well.
"There're still parts of his game that we need to grow and he's aware of that, but he's made a good start."
Although Hansen knows the young lock isn't the perfect replacement for Williams in what is shaping up to be an extremely difficult Tri Nations, he said that with time he will grow to be great player.
"I don't think you can expect Isaac to be an Ali Williams. Ali took some time to become the player he is and Isaac's no different, he's going to take time to become a complete rugby player," he said.
"It's normal for a young man, most of his growing over the last few years has been up rather than out so he'll mature into a really good athlete over the next two or three years."
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