Rugby: Long trek north inspires loosie

Angus Gardiner is excited about visiting Norm Berryman's rugby patch for the first time.

Gardiner has made 67 Canterbury appearances over seven seasons, but none has previously taken him to the domain of the Northland Taniwhas, home of popular Canterbury Crusaders teammate Norm Berryman.

Canterbury return to Whangarei for the first time since 1992 for their sixth round NPC first division fixture tonight.

"It's one of the few New Zealand grounds I haven't played on," Gardiner said.

"Norm's told us a lot about home so it will be good to see it first hand."

Gardiner also intends having a friendly chat with one of the touch judges, Mike Clent.

"I went to Teachers' College with him. Hopefully he'll pass my boots when he inspects them."

The sinewy openside flanker might be in the twilight of his Canterbury career, but he has the same passion and commitment to the game that he had on debut, against South Africa's Western Province in Canterbury's opening match in 1993.

With fellow flankers Scott Robertson and Reuben Thorne on World Cup call for the All Blacks, Gardiner, as senior loose forward, will probably be required to give his usual 100 per cent effort for 80 minutes.

He and Robertson had previously shared the openside flanker's duties.

"I like to think I contribute at any opportunity I get. I suppose I have the chance for more game time now but that's the executive decision of Steve [Hansen] and Robbie [Deans]. I just do the best I can out there."

Gardiner, who has signed with English club Bath for next year, typically put his body on the line in Canterbury's 12-10 win against leader Auckland last Friday. Three times he was replaced, but back he came with his wrist strapped and head wounds stitched.

Although he is heading overseas after the NPC, Gardiner said he was winding up rather any winding down. "We're looking to make the semifinals. My motivation has always been to play as well as I can for Canterbury."

He believes Canterbury's diligent recruiting and attention to player welfare in recent years will stand the province in good stead for the future.

"The young ones are their own people and add their own touch to the Canterbury culture. They've got their own opinions and ideas and ours is an environment where they can voice it as we're all on an equal footing."

Gardiner, 27, said that Northland's win against Wellington was a reminder that the team from the far north could not be underestimated, especially at home.

"A lot of their games have been closer than the scoreline might suggest and they've perhaps been only a pass away from really getting some confidence and getting on a roll.

"We're treating this game no differently from the rest. We'll prepare well for it and give Northland the respect they deserve." - NZPA