You’ve played rugby for Canterbury, the Crusaders, the Hurricanes and the Māori All Blacks – has your rugby career evolved the way you thought it would?
Probably not. For a modern-day player, I’ve come down an unconventional route to the professional ranks. I missed out on being part of any academy, instead earning my stripes playing for my club, High School Old Boys. I guess through a bit of hard work, good club form and chasing set goals, I managed to get an opportunity with Canterbury in 2014. From there I felt like I took my opportunities, and with a bit of luck and good timing, things started happening. A side note regarding luck – I’ve always believed you create your own luck through hard work and good habits. Being born and bred in Canterbury I never thought I would one day be playing for the Hurricanes, but in the middle of 2016 that opportunity arose to join them for the 2017 season. I’ve loved every minute up there so far and am certainly a proud Hurricanes man. Playing for the Māori All Blacks has always been a goal, and to represent my culture and my whakapapa is very rewarding. How we relate and connect makes it such a unique team, and that cannot be recreated elsewhere.
What motivates you going out onto the field each game?
For me family is massive, and I want to make them proud every time – even more so now after having had two daughters with my wife. Another motivator for me is that I don’t want to let my team mates down. All the work and preparation during pre-season and the playing week puts me in the best position to nail my focus and goals and to perform at a high level consistently for them.
Any goals moving forward with your career?
The Everest I have always been chasing is the All Blacks. But as I am now a bit further on in my career it’s not just about that anymore, but also about leaving the jerseys in a better place than they were. I guess it’s leaving a bit of a legacy so the other young guys coming through can see what it takes, or the standards that need to be met to do well at this level.
You studied a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce while at UC. How did you manage study and rugby at the same time?
My first 3-4 years were virtually full-time study while playing club footy, so I managed to get through a fair bit in those years. After that, I was a part-time student doing one paper per semester. For me, I loved having something away from rugby to get stuck into. Balance has always been a big thing for me, so the ability to get into the books on days off gave me that opportunity to do so. I just had to be smart around which papers I could take so that they fit my schedule or provided online learning – which is more of a norm now since Covid. I remember when I first made the Crusaders, Ged Robinson a former player said to me that you should never stop your studies, otherwise you will struggle to get back into it. That stuck with me, and I managed to complete both of my degrees at the end of 2020.
Looking back at your time at UC, what memories and experiences have stayed with you?
The Christchurch earthquake in 2011 – this was certainly a significant moment in history for a lot of the people of Christchurch. It was my first year at UC, and only a few days into uni life when it all changed. A bit of time off followed, along with online learning, marquee lecture theatres, and the closing of some buildings to name a few.
Graduation – it was a very proud moment being able to graduate after a decent stint at uni. Having all my family and a great mentor of mine, who has since passed, attend was very special.
The people - you spend a lot of time studying together and helping each other out, along with all the fun that university life provides. They’re the where and why all the great memories and experiences take place.
What advice would you offer to new students looking to come and study here at UC?
Enjoy the ride - it goes quick. Even for me being there for 10 years still felt like it flew by. It can be tough at times, like when the pressure is on for exams and assignments etc, but how good is the feeling when you finish the semester or year after putting in a big effort at exam time and earning that break. Don’t lose sight of the great lifestyle and fun that is had right throughout your time and the great people you meet along the way.
What was the most important thing you learned while studying at UC?
Discipline has been a big thing I learnt in my time at UC. Particularly how to balance my time and make the most of everyday. Early on when I was trying to crack the professional ranks while still a full-time student, my training would be done in and around lectures and in the evening. This took a bit of planning and the discipline to keep to it. Discipline was also learnt when overseas with rugby, and on days off having to stick around the hotel in my room to study, or on several occasions having to sit exams on my own in the evening.
Check out Reed Prinsep, one of our Sporting Legends profiles in our 150th Alumni Showcase here.
