While only two of the six selected Nelson players were able to attend the southern zone performance camp, Ryan Charles believes it shows that Tasman Rugby League is developing nicely.
Tasman high performance rugby league group players Cory Whakatihi, Teu Sami, Marvin Curry and TeeJay Peeni-Tiananga of Nelson College and Maloni Lama of Waimea College were selected at the 17s level. Nelson College’s Tyrion Rarimu-Carew was picked in the under-15 group.
Only Tyrion and Marvin were able to make the camp in Christchurch on Sunday, yet Charles – Tasman Rugby League’s development officer – said it was an invaluable experience for those who made it.
Tony Iro, a selector and the assistant coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team took the trainings and even worked individually with the Tasman boys. Working with Tyrion he went through defence, passing and marker defence.
Coming from a rugby union background, the skills sessions were “invaluable” according to Charles, who also said there were some surprise trainers turn up on the day.
“They had Ben Hornby there and one other member of the St George Illawarra Dragons coaching staff there,” Charles said. “That was a bonus. I don’t think the boys expected to have an ex-NRL player there.”
Hornby, who captained the Dragons, played for New South Wales in the State of Origin and represented Australia, took the squads for on-field training drills. He also talked at length to the group about work ethic.
“They also had a big emphasis on off-the-field stuff. NZRL and NRL officials talked to the boys about drugs and alcohol and behaviour off the field.”
For Charles, it was disappointing that the other players could not make the camp due, in large, to commitments with rugby union, while family commitments and injury ruled out another two. Yet, he saw what he wanted from those who seized the opportunity.
“These boys that were here, they showed me that they want it and one of the things that stood out for me, was when Ben Hornby stood up and said to the boys ‘who here wants to play NRL’, and everyone put their hand up.
“Saying something is easy but showing it is the hard part. That really rung true for me.”
There will be an opportunity for aspiring college-aged rugby league players to make the Tasman Titans’ age group squads. The first muster is on Friday May 16. There will be four practices at 4.30pm at Greenmeadows. With more than 30 people expressing interest, Charles hopes there will be enough interest to play a full trial game on Sunday June 6.
The successful Titans will then play in the Southern Zone rep tournament in Dunedin in early July.
Players can register interest with Tasman Rugby League or on the Facebook pages Tasman Titans 17s and Tasman Titans 15s.
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