By Jonathan B Geddes

WHEN former Randwick backrower Christian Poidevin played for the American Eagles against England two weeks ago, he wrote himself into the rugby record books with his Wallaby legend dad Simon.

The pair became a father and son duo who have both played Tests against England while representing different countries.

It was with immense pride that Christian followed in the boot steps of his father, a genuine Wallaby great, by becoming a Test rugby international himself.

“Obviously for dad to do it and now for me to do it, it was really special to take the field –  even though it was in a different jersey,” Christian told Rugby News after completing a coaching clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina, with 250 local kids.

 “It meant a lot, you really felt it was the US team with the US crowd, it felt like the beginning of something special for me.”
Before a sellout crowd of over 20,000 at the Audi Stadium in Washington DC England won 40-5  but not before Poidevin made a big impact as a second half replacement.

In the 80^th minute the 26-year-old made a powerful charge after a lineout win and then slipped a beautiful offload to his San Diego MLR teammate Shilo Klein who scored the Eagles only try.  

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY  

CHRISTIAN has been playing in the States for five years and was eligible for Eagles selection as he has dual citizenship because his mother Robin Fahlstrom was born in Chicago.

He made his debut on July 13 as a replacement in the Eagles 31-20 loss to Spain in North Carolina.

And joining his teammates singing the Star Spangled Banner was never going to be an issue.

“It gets the emotions and a bit of adrenaline going before the game so it was good,” he said.

“Playing here for the past five years I’ve real grown to love the place. It has really embraced me and I’ve embraced it so I was really proud to wear that jersey.”

Poidevin also says he his game has definitely improved during his time in the USA.

“I’ve had some great coaches and really good players around me with Isaac Ross, Dave Dennis, Gits (Matt Giteau) and Adam Ashley-Cooper,” he said.

“They showed that professionalism and taught me the way. That brought my game from probably being a bit loose to really nailing down what I could potentially be,” he said. “I’m thankful for that.”           

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS … OVERSEAS                

THE backrower is another player who had to head overseas to get the opportunities they couldn’t in Australia.

Poidevin’s talent was on display for Randwick in the 2023 grand final win over Norths when he was arguably man of the match as a second half replacement. He proved a “super sub”, grabbing half a dozen turnovers in the final 30 minutes which proved crucial to the result.

“I tried a couple of years to go back to Super Rugby from here and was always on the short list.” he said. “That’s the way things go and I’m really happy now with the decision to wear the Eagles jersey.” 

THE WORLD CUP DREAM 

THE Eagles have now set their sights on the Test against Canada in Calgary on August 23, with the winner automatically qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

“That game has really been on the horizon for us,” Poidevin said.

Competing in the World Cup in the country where he grew up would have extra meaning for Poidevin.

After his effort against England, Poidevin must be pushing for a spot in the Eagles’ starting side but he is not getting ahead of himself.

“I’m coming into a new squad, there are a lot of good boys in there and I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and build those connections,” he said. “Ideally (I will) get to that starting position but earn my stripes as well.” 

SIMON SAYS

DAD Simon has witnessed the often hard road that Christian has travelled to get to where he is today.

Nothing was ever made easy for him because of his famous rugby surname.

“I’m very proud of Christian because he has grabbed the chance which has been given to him by US Rugby,” Simon said.

“He always dreamed of playing at the highest level here but that opportunity didn’t come his way.

“They (the Eagles) play 11 Test matches this year and he’s got the chance to get on the world stage.”

Two of the remaining internationals are against Scotland and Japan, who are coached by Simon’s old mate Eddie Jones.

“World Rugby are very focussed on the success of US Rugby given they are hosting the 2031 World Cup,” Simon said.

“The big challenge is to beat Canada and qualify for the 2027 World Cup here.”