14 November 2006

Linton diesel mechanic Corporal Hayden Triggs has been selected to join the Hurricanes Super 14 team.

Like his future team-mate Tana Umaga, 24-year-old CPL Triggs is originally from Wainuiomata, but he spent four years at boarding school in Manawatu before joining the Army seven years ago. He has been playing rugby for 14 years now and says joining the Hurricanes is the ultimate.

“I was lucky, there were a few boys who could have made it but I was lucky enough to be selected from the NPC. My family was absolutely over the moon. A lot of people don’t realise there is a lot of sacrifice. My Mum and Dad are the ones who haven’t seen me because I’ve been [away] playing. It’s definitely worth the sacrifice. I’ve spent six to seven years training to get where I am – I’ve done the hard yards, I’ve gone without things to get there.”

CPL Triggs plays lock at present but has also played blindside for the Linton Rugby Club.

“The last four years I’ve been in the amateur part of New Zealand rugby, the second division, and Manawatu rose to the first division this year. Training takes four days a week and now I’m a professional rugby player I’ve got to fully commit my time and go on leave without pay. It’s a huge commitment to do both jobs.”

CPL Triggs says he can’t give enough credit to the Army for the level of support they have given him.

“They have never had to deal with this before; they’ve never had someone fully professional so it’s new roads for them. The Army has been very positive; my unit bosses have been awesome and last year they made it easy for me. The support I’ve received since being named in the Hurricanes has been amazing.”

There are many people CPL Triggs admires in the game, including Jason Eaton, John Eales, Kelly Allen, Dane Bergin and Richie McCaw.

“But it’s not only rugby players who inspire me. My family have done a lot for me and kept me going, and people within the Army. My goal is to do my family proud and my ancestors and carry the family name with pride, because I’ve got a lot of people to represent.”

The Hurricanes have a four-week preseason camp in December to condition the players for their first preseason game in January.

“We do three to four types of training each day. It’s just pretty much training all day. Training for games, then recovery and nutrition, and sleeping and all that.”

CPL Triggs says Army personnel with dreams of sporting careers should be aware the Army does everything it can to facilitate this.

“I can’t thank the Army enough for the support they have given me and to all those people in the Army who have sports dreams, I’d like to say the Army will help those who aspire to be professional in sport. The Army is positive about it and will help you if you really want it, but you have to do the hard work.”

The Hurricanes’ first international game is in Brisbane on 3 February 2006, so watch out for our Army champ!

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