Green's conundrum: Green & Gold or Red roses?

12/14/2024 01:51 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Tyrone Green has always dreamed of being a Springbok but he would never view an England call-up as second prize.

The Harlequins utility back, in this season's Champions Cup, will hope to be knocking on two international coaching doors.

Green, a product of Jeppe High School in Gauteng, a youthful introduction into Super Rugby for South Africa's Lions, and now a seasoned member of London-based Harlequins, qualifies for England selection in June, 2025.

His impact and potency since his arrival from Johannesburg in the 2020/21 season has been such that he would seem a certainty to be in the England equation in June.

There has even been talk that he could tour with the British & Irish Lions before playing for England.

Green has never shied away from his love for the Springboks, his desire to wear the Green and Gold and the hope that his play is considered good enough to attract the attention of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.

Equally, he has dedicated his playing future to living in London and playing for Harlequins, with the 26-year-old having recently signed a contract extension.

London is home to Green, and it has been for the past five years.

If the England call came, then Green would honour the selection with the enthusiasm and respect of one born in England with aspirations of always wanting to play for England.

Green has always been transparent about his Bok ambitions, but never has he been dismissive about the possibility of an international future with England.

It is where he plays and it is at Harlequins where he has come of age as a fullback/wing whose skill set is such that he can play in the midfield and at flyhalf.

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Green was just 21 years old when he arrived at the Stoop. He blossomed immediately and has played 81 times for Quins, starting in 75 of those matches.

In two of his seasons, he played 28 and 25 matches respectively and a big Championship Cup and Premiership season could see his club form finally rewarded with Test action.

Green is one of a handful of South Africans who have thrived at Harlequins, with two fellow South Africans Wilco Louw and Andre Esterhuizen having returned to South Africa for the Bulls and Sharks respectively.

Since their return, both have played for the Springboks in 2024, with Louw's belated return to Test duty poignantly coming against England at Twickenham.

Esterhuizen and Louw rave about their time at Harlequins. Both have gone on record to say they returned to South Africa better players and more rounded individuals than when they arrived in London.

They credit Harlequins, as a club and a team, for improving all aspects of their game and playing in the Northern Hemisphere for shaping their approach to the game.

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South African players for the past two decades have used the England landscape to reignite international careers or ignite an international career, be it for England or South Africa.

Green's form over an extended period has been exceptional.

He has played 81 matches for Harlequins, starting 75 for a 93 percent return. Of those matches, 66 have been in the Premiership, 10 in the Champions Cup, one in the Challenge Cup and five in the Premiership Rugby Cup. He has played 5893 minutes, at an average of 73 minutes a game, and scored 27 tries.

He is, without doubt, one of the best overseas signings, in terms of value and on-field return.

Harlequins, with England flyhalf Marcus Smith driving the attack, have a reputation for being one of the best attacking units in Europe, but don't underestimate the role that Green plays from fullback.

Quins host the Cape-based Stormers on Saturday in the Champions Cup and are favoured to bounce back from the opening round away defeat to Racing 92.

The Stormers, who beat Quins in their only other Champions Cup match, played in Cape Town, have been crushed by injury and 17 of their frontline players are unavailable because of a range of injuries.

Stormers coach John Dobson has acknowledged the quality of Harlequins, the experience of playing at the Stoop and the respect he has for the Champions Cup.

Dobson knows his young charges will be up against it on Saturday night, but his message to Stormers fans on departure for London is to have an expectation of 23 players who play for the people of Cape Town, as much as they do a winning result.

"It is a privilege for any player to be a part of the Champions Cup," said Dobson.

"Saturday night is a great opportunity for so many of our players and it is one I know each of them will relish.

"Our message, as coaches, has been one of reinforcement of the history of the Champions Cup and their challenge is to add to that history."

Source: EPCR/@ChampionsCup