Pair hope for rugby career

Rodney College students Kingi Herewini and Javarne Porter are hoping for a career in rugby after coming up trumps with the Blues U18 development squad.

Their team downed the Hurricanes U18 squad at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo on July 16 with a score of 34-14.

“The match was a lot faster and a lot more physical than what we’re used to,” Porter says.

“We just tried to make sure we covered our positions well and were pleased to get a good result.”

Porter played his usual role of outside centre, but Kingi was moved from inside centre to play on the wing.

“I had to adjust to fit into the different role, but the team was really supportive,” Herewini says.

Both players want to play professional rugby and hope to be selected for the Northland Rugby Academy and progress from there.

Herewini played for the Blues development squad last year and has represented Northland, Wellsford and Rodney College.

Porter has also played for those teams, coming second with the Wellsford U18 side this year.

Both players train around four days a week with skills, strength and fitness work.