Green tipped to take chance with England
Key Harlequins figures believe that if Tyrone Green doesn’t get picked for the Springboks this summer, then he’ll turn his attentions to becoming an international star with England.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named a squad of 35 players on Monday for the team’s first official training camp of the season in Pretoria ahead of Saturday’s opening Test of the season against Wales at Twickenham with Green a notable absentee.
Green scored Quins’ fourth try amid a dazzling display in the Londoners’ Champions Cup semi-final defeat away at Toulouse to cap a coming-of-age season in the famous quarters for the 26-year-old who was last week named in The Rugby Paper’s team of the season.
The Klerksdorp-born playmaker is widely regarded as developing into one of the best attacking full-backs in European rugby, and Quins head coach Danny Wilson, a long-time admirer before joining The Stoop, is full of praise.
He told TRP: “Tyrone’s had an outstanding season, he’s always had that ability to beat the first man, make line breaks, and his kicking as well as finishing has always been pretty excellent.
“Where I think he’s made huge gains this season is under huge aerial threats that sides tend to pick against us and kick a lot to try and gain territory through going after us aerially.
“Tyrone has improved dramatically in that area, and it’s giving him a real all-round game.”
Green represented South Africa’s Under-20s but has not been capped at senior level and will qualify for Steve Borthwick’s side on residency grounds in 2025.
Formerly of the Johannesburg-based Lions and Golden Lions set-ups playing in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup, Green has a wide breadth of experience.
While he’s been utilised by Wilson at full-back, he’s also comfortable at fly-half, centre and wing, giving England’s coaches plenty to think about.
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Wilson adds: “Tyrone took high ball after high ball on the whole this season and again in recent weeks, and he’s developed to be a real force in the back three, he was always that since before I’ve been here.
“When I was at Glasgow I tried to sign him so I know what a quality rugby player he is, he’s just getting better and better, and that will continue I’m sure.
“His commitment also sets him apart. In April he was ill for a couple of weeks, and it was credit to him that he would go out and play 80 minutes when he’d been rough and hadn’t really trained, to come out and do what he does, through that, is another mark of what he is.”
Former England scrum-half Danny Care is full of praise for his Quins pal, saying: “Tyrone’s a proper player, and will play international rugby, I’m sure of it.
“What I love about Tyrone since we’ve had him is he’s an absolute joy to play with. You don’t know what he’s going to do, but you know he’s going to do it with everything he’s got.
“He punches way above his weight, he’s so hard to tackle, so elusive, so good under the high ball.
“The game against Toulouse he was like ‘right I’m going to take this by the scruff of the neck, I’m going to make an impact to get Quins back in it’, and he did that with his offloading and attacking. I felt it’s a game where Tyrone didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
“He’s been brilliant for Quins all year, he’s played more minutes for us in the Prem, and he’s come back from some serious injuries.”
