Christian Lealiifano
Flyhalf Christian Lealiifano returns for his second season of Investec Super 14 rugby after making his debut and starting in each of the CA Brumbies’ fixtures in 2008. The gifted pivot has recovered from off-season shoulder surgery and has begun his campaign for the starting ‘10’ jersey in the CA Brumbies’ first Investec Super 14 match against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, 13 February. Brumby Jack caught up with Lealiifano ahead of the CA Brumbies’ final pre-season match against the Waratahs on Thursday night.
Brumby Jack: How do you feel after last week’s 28-14 win over the Hurricanes?
Christian Lealiifano: Pretty good. I fell a lot more confident tackling with my shoulder [following off-season surgery] and it was just good to get some game time under my belt. It’s been a long time coming and we’ve had a good pre-season and it was just good to play footy.
BJ: How much was your shoulder injury hampering you last year?
CL: A fair bit. The lack in confidence in tackling was the main thing. Every tackle I went into gave me a bit of niggle and a dead arm, and that played a big role in my defence last year. Now that it’s fixed and better I’ve got that confidence back and I’m keen to get into it.
BJ: With one pre-season match down and after a long pre-season campaign do you feel like you’re starting to form some combinations with other players out there? CL: Yeah, I think with the injuries last year I formed a lot of combinations with the young guys and now having the Wallaby boys around like Stirlo [Mortlock] and Adam Ashley-Cooper I’m really keen to get out there and get those combinations working.
BJ: How much more prepared do you feel going into this season than you did this time last year?
CL: I feel a lot more comfortable and confident. Last year was a big learning year and now I know what to expect and more about the teams we’re playing against. I know what to expect now and I’m looking forward to the challenges this year.
BJ: With the Wallabies back this week, how much of a difference does it make to you having guys like Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper outside you?
CL: It’s always good to have that experience outside you. They know a lot more about the game than I do so it’s good to be able to keep learning off them. They definitely bring a higher intensity and bring the best out of the players around them, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they bring this year and on Thursday night.
BJ: You played opposite the Hurricanes’ Willie Ripia last week and will match up against the Waratahs’ Kurtley Beale this week. Do you enjoy playing against these flyhalves around your age?
CL: It’s good when there are a lot of quality ‘10’s’ around. I like to challenge myself to see where I’m at and see what I need to work on and where I’m heading. But it should be another good game against Kurtley this weekend and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
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