HE WAS AN experiment at outhalf that failed.
Brought in during the summer of 2011, Mat Berquist was hoping to prove himself in the 10 jersey while Jonny Sexton was over in New Zealand at the World Cup.
The Kiwi knocked over a first half penalty on his debut against Ospreys. It would be Leinster’s only score as they were swept aside 27-3. Ian Madigan took his place after 52 minutes. The young outhalf got the start against Newport Gwent Dragons at home and raced in a try.
Berquist took to the RDS pitch on 55 minutes for his home debut. He last until the 71st before wrenching his knee badly [damaging ligaments] and being stretchered off. He struggled to get back to full fitness and, last summer, moved on to Biarritz.
His last appearance against Irish opposition was a 22-14 defeat to Connacht in the Heineken Cup last December. Berquist started alongside scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili, who did the kicking. Julien Peyrelongue replaced him for re-match in torrential rains.
Another summer followed and the 30-year-old was on the move again. He is now with Benetton Treviso and has been named at outhalf for Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Munster.
Berquist will be hoping to rediscover the form that saw him earn 29 Super Rugby outings for the Higlanders and Crusaders, where he was Dan Carter’s understudy.
He said, “Over the past two years, for various reasons, I have not been able to play as much as I would have liked. My first goal is to earn a place in the team and increase my confidence from week to week.”
Treviso finished seventh in the Pro12 last season but have lost their opening two fixtures of the new campaign. Fittingly, Berquist’s first game for the Italians was against Welsh opposition. He replaced Alberto di Bernado in the 26-10 away loss to Scarlets but gets his chance from the off against Rob Penney’s men.
The Munster coach will be eager to avenge his team’s 34-10 mauling by Treviso at Stadio Monigo, in February, the last time the two sides met. Nine of the players that started for the Irish province that day have been named in the starting XV for Friday’s clash [7:30pm kick-off].
Penney will have he men primed to attack the Italians from the start and avoid a repeat of the humbling seven months ago. A third win from three league games could get the Munster faithful really excited. Berquist, on the other hand, will be keen to repay the faith Treviso have shown in him and show the Pro12 what he is made off.
