Big Bird adding Steel to Lions

Dominic Bird soaring high for the Lions in last Friday’s 54-19 semi-final win over Auckland. PHOTO: Mike Lewis Pictures.

• Steven White

Dominic Bird is used to winning. The tallest ever All Black played 53 games for Canterbury between 2011 and 2017. In that period the red and blacks won six NPC Premiership titles.

By contrast the Wellington Lions have a dire record in NPC finals. Since their meritorious 34-29 victory over Canterbury in the 2000 final in Christchurch they have lost nine deciders, including four to Canterbury in 2004 (27-40), 2008 (6-7), 2009 (20-28) and 2013 (13-29).

Why did Canterbury win so often?

“It’s a certain feeling you get where everyone is absolutely fully engaged in nailing their own performance and doing what they can do for the team,” Bird responded.

“It’s a real belief and excitement that grows throughout the season and creates momentum and energy that’s hard to capture in words. It’s been great to be a part of a different environment where that kind of feeling has been building.”

The Lions have won nine matches in a row including a record 54-19 demolition of Auckland in the semi-final on Friday night.

“I was a bit stunned by the score line. We thought Auckland was going to be another beast, but we got momentum early and played well.

“Finals are a bit different, but they’re still a game of rugby. We can’t afford to get caught up in the pressure. We’ve got to trust our systems, back our momentum, and be clinical with our chances.”

The Lions have grown into a clinical outfit with the embarrassing loss to Northland fierce motivation for rapid improvement.

“To win all three games in Storm week was no easy feat, but a massive one for us. It was the perfect build-up to the Ranfurly Shield,” Bird observed.

“Sometimes when you don’t have too long to dwell on things it’s an advantage. We had short turnarounds with good results which built confidence and then a week to have a crack at the Log.”

From August 28 to September 17 the Lions won four games on the trot and collected 18 out of a possible 20 Premiership points.

Better was to come in the 34-6 slaying of Waikato to keep the Ranfurly Shield safe for the summer. Are the Lions supposed to choke at the point?

“I did hear that bandied around a bit. We don’t pay too much attention to what’s said beyond these four walls. We were very determined in that game.”

Canterbury haven’t won the NPC title since 2017. With forwards, George Bell, Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Oli Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Dominic Gardiner and Billy Harmon named in the All Blacks XV to tour the UK in November they represent formidable opposition.

Bird is confident the Lions forwards can front.

“I’m proud of what our leaders and young players have achieved so far this season.

“Blacky (James Blackwell) is a good bugger. He’s got a great skill set and he’s a solid player on defence with a great knowledge of lineouts.

“Personally, my time with Racing 92 in France has helped my game a lot. I’ve matured as a player and a human. I learned a lot about different styles of play and how to better use my physicality.

“It was pretty clear that France was going up fast. It doesn’t surprise me they’re the best in the world at the moment.”

Bird is one of the best rugby players to have ever come out of Waipukurau, 50km southwest of Hastings. He grew up on a farm and played in two test wins against Japan (54-6) in 2013 and Scotland (24-16) in Edinburgh a year later. He is one of five Waipukurau All Blacks.

The first Waipukurau All Black was hooker Jim McCormick, educated at Scots College, in 1947. He was followed by North Auckland prop Wayne Neville and lock Alistair Robinson in the late 70s and early 80s. Prop Campbell Johnstone was an NPC winner with Canterbury and a part of three Crusaders Super Rugby triumphs.

Bird was a member of the 2011 New Zealand Under-20 that won the IRB Junior World Championship. From that team Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Brodie Rettalick, Codie Taylor, Beauden Barrett, Waisake Naholo, TJ Perenara, Charles Piutau, Francis Saili, Lima Sopoaga, Brad Weber and Luke Whitelock became All Blacks. Brad Shields (England), Ben Tameifuna (Tonga) and Gareth Anscombe (Wales) were also internationals. Rhys Llewellyn played Sevens for New Zealand

Wellington v Canterbury, NPC Final, Christchurch, Saturday 7.05pm.