11 September 2007

The Air New Zealand Cup is one of the world’s toughest domestic rugby competitions and for many of its participants, the pinnacle of their playing careers. To some, taking the step up to the high pressure environment of the Cup would be akin to a military promotion. For others like Lance Corporal Aaron James and Corporal Hayden Triggs, both scenarios are now familiar territory.

The Linton- based junior NCOs learnt of their selection into the 2007 Manawatu squad through a press conference in July. But this is not their first taste of provincial rugby; Cpl Triggs already has six seasons with Manawatu under his belt and also made an appearance for the Hurricanes in the Super 14 this year. LCPL James represented Canterbury as an under 18-year-old in the province’s Country and Maori teams. Last year he was a starter for North Otago in the newly restructured Heartland Competition, which is an amalgamation of the NPC’s now defunct second and third divisions.

It had been almost twenty years since Manawatu featured in the country’s premier rugby competition. During its heyday in the 70’s and 80’s it held the Ranfurly Shield on three occasions and claimed the title of Division One champion in 1980. But in 1988 Manawatu was demoted to the second division where it languished until the 2005 restructure of the NPC into the Air New Zealand Cup. This restructure threw a lifeline to teams in the upper echelon of the second division, and Tasman, Counties-Manakau, Hawkes Bay, and Manawatu were once again provided with an opportunity to foot it with the big boys.

Competition for a spot in any one of these sides is intense and Manawatu is no exception with 5000 registered players. That LCPL James has achieved such selection while playing club rugby for Linton is something of a coup for the camp team, as well as providing valuable exposure for the Army and its lifestyle.

So far victories have proved elusive for Manawatu, its sole 30 – 18 win coming at the expense of a more experienced Bay of Plenty team. But the following week it came up against one of the super powers of New Zealand if not world rugby, in the form of a rampant Canterbury outfit at AMI Stadium on August 26.

As part of the match’s media build up LCPL James featured in Christchurch’s The Press newspaper as it highlighted his Army and playing career. The game itself attracted a vocal crowd of over 13,000. Stacked full of Super 14 regulars and ex All Blacks, the Cantabrians were overwhelming favourites against the Turbos. The result was a not totally unexpected 64 – 10 shellacking as Manawatu succumbed to relentless attacks from broken play and superior numbers at the breakdown. The visitor’s points came from a Tomasi Cama try, plus a conversion and penalty to Matty James. In the post match media autopsy, The Press’ Richard Knowler rated Hayden Triggs as the pick of the bunch for Manawatu.

“They are an exceptional team,” admitted a disappointed LCPL James after the match, “if you lose a ball in there, they arrive in numbers so fast you’ve no chance of competing for it.”

The disappointment of a loss extends beyond a personal level as well. “Dave Rennie is a fantastic coach,” LCPL James admits. “He brings out the best in everyone through his coaching methods; it makes you just want to give your all and not let him down.”

Rennie is philosophical about his side’s progress in this high pressure environment. He hopes that the fans can be patient and keep their expectations of such a young team realistic. Rennie also believes that the Army boys bring a new dimension to the training environment that he has established.

“Hayden and Aaron are lateral thinkers, they have superb discipline which makes them good trainers and above all they are mentally tough,” says Rennie.

Rennie thinks that the best is yet to come for both soldiers. CPL Triggs has achieved selection for NZ Maori and could expect another call up for the Hurricanes next season. His coach rates Triggs’ leadership skills, experience and athleticism as his playing strengths.

He also holds high hopes for LCPL James. “Aaron is fast, strong, and evasive, and defends well for a winger. He definitely has the potential to progress with more experience in his role and he has certainly turned some heads this season with his line breaks.”

Rennie thinks that Army rugby in the Manawatu is a wealth of untapped potential and has plans to work closely with the Linton club in order to foster continued development of its players. Already this close attention is paying dividends for the camp team and the Army’s profile.

On August 30, a third Linton based soldier took to the field for Manawatu against North Harbour at Albany. Private Adam Ross, a recent addition to the team received 10 minutes of game time off the bench. Rennie intends to continue Ross’ development into one of his mainstream options in the forward pack.

“This exposure can only be good for Army recruitment, because these boys are highlighting the Army’s physical lifestyle and the fact that you can have a military career and still play at the top level of sport,” says Rennie.

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