parra pete
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Remember the name TANE PUKI..A Kiwi, the closest thing I've seen to Matt Bowen.
I wrote to Rocket Reddy earlier in the year about him but never got a reply.
THE SOUTHLAND TIMES
By LOGAN SAVORY
Tane Puki is certainly at the smaller end of the scale when it comes to size on the rugby field but New Zealand under-19 coach Kieran Crowley doesn't believe it's a major problem.
Puki was part of the New Zealand team that recently took part in the under-19 World Cup in Dubai.
New Zealand was halted at the final hurdle, losing to Australia 17-13 in the final of the tournament, despite Southland's Puki turning in an outstanding second-half display as a replacement at fullback.
Crowley, a former All Black fullback, believed Puki showed enough at the tournament to suggest he can progress up the ranks.
"I was certainly happy with Tane's progress both as a player and a person off the field. He was a big part of our team environment," Crowley said.
"He had some good patches of play and some not so good ones but he did show enough that he can develop from that."
Crowley admitted Puki's small size, at just 70kg, was a disadvantage but he believed the Southland fullback could overcome it.
'It (the World Cup) made me think that I might play rugby now.' Tane Puki
"He is small but I'm sure the Southland system will do what they can to help with that.
"He has a big left-foot step, which is his big advantage, but he also knows he needs to work out other ways to beat players. Guys at the next level will work that out," Crowley said.
Puki was selected in the New Zealand team to play at the World Cup despite not originally being included in the trial squads.
Puki, who has also starred at junior rugby league ranks, was a late inclusion in the trial squads after turning in an eye-opening performance playing for Southland at the national sevens tournament in Queenstown in January.
The 19-year-old told The Southland Times yesterday he was still weighing up whether he would continue with rugby or follow a career in league in Australia but hinted rugby was now the likely option.
"It (the World Cup) made me think that I might play rugby now," the quietly spoken Puki said.
Puki's focus has now switched to Southland club rugby where he will line up for the Marist premier side, with his first outing against Star at Rugby Park Stadium tomorrow night.
I wrote to Rocket Reddy earlier in the year about him but never got a reply.
THE SOUTHLAND TIMES
By LOGAN SAVORY
Tane Puki is certainly at the smaller end of the scale when it comes to size on the rugby field but New Zealand under-19 coach Kieran Crowley doesn't believe it's a major problem.
Puki was part of the New Zealand team that recently took part in the under-19 World Cup in Dubai.
New Zealand was halted at the final hurdle, losing to Australia 17-13 in the final of the tournament, despite Southland's Puki turning in an outstanding second-half display as a replacement at fullback.
Crowley, a former All Black fullback, believed Puki showed enough at the tournament to suggest he can progress up the ranks.
"I was certainly happy with Tane's progress both as a player and a person off the field. He was a big part of our team environment," Crowley said.
"He had some good patches of play and some not so good ones but he did show enough that he can develop from that."
Crowley admitted Puki's small size, at just 70kg, was a disadvantage but he believed the Southland fullback could overcome it.
'It (the World Cup) made me think that I might play rugby now.' Tane Puki
"He is small but I'm sure the Southland system will do what they can to help with that.
"He has a big left-foot step, which is his big advantage, but he also knows he needs to work out other ways to beat players. Guys at the next level will work that out," Crowley said.
Puki was selected in the New Zealand team to play at the World Cup despite not originally being included in the trial squads.
Puki, who has also starred at junior rugby league ranks, was a late inclusion in the trial squads after turning in an eye-opening performance playing for Southland at the national sevens tournament in Queenstown in January.
The 19-year-old told The Southland Times yesterday he was still weighing up whether he would continue with rugby or follow a career in league in Australia but hinted rugby was now the likely option.
"It (the World Cup) made me think that I might play rugby now," the quietly spoken Puki said.
Puki's focus has now switched to Southland club rugby where he will line up for the Marist premier side, with his first outing against Star at Rugby Park Stadium tomorrow night.
