Toil pays off as Peteru hits form and dreams of Kiwi jersey
TITANS forward Nate Peteru has set his sights on winning a spot in the New Zealand Test squad after consolidating his place as an NRL regular.
Peteru made his NRL debut with the Titans in Round 18 of the 2015 season but had managed just eight games before the start of this year, failing to find the consistency that would earn him a regular spot.
But an off-season grind that included daily 5am cardio sessions in addition to the Titans’ training requirements had the 196cm, 100kg forward poised to take advantage of his size and talent this year.
The 25-year-old has played all three games this year and has given outstanding value off the bench, averaging 95m and 15 tackles in 28 minutes a game.
“I always had the belief that I could play at this level consistently, it was whether I was doing all the little things right,’’ Peteru said.
“I said to myself back in November I wanted to be in the NRL for every round of the 2017 season and hopefully I can just keep ticking these little boxes every week.
“I’ve got quite a lot of high goals that I’ve set myself.’’
While many players are reticent to outline their objectives, Peteru was happy to share his goals.
“Obviously to start (for the Titans) and to play for New Zealand – that’s a goal of mine and I believe I can, but it’s just whether I can be consistent every week and that’s the goal.’’
Peteru’s confidence comes in part from the belief shown in him by Titans coach Neil Henry and his coaching staff. “He’s always had that faith in me, I believe,’’ said Peteru, who is finally sharing the belief that others have long had in his ability.
“He’s always talked to me and kept me in the loop.
“He played me a few times last year where it was big games and I hadn’t played much during the year, so I’ve always felt like he’s had faith in me – and the coaching staff – and I just look to repay them every week by playing some good footy.’’
Peteru knows he and his Titans teammates will have to perform against North Queensland tomorrow night if they are to be any chance of winning despite a pack missing internationals Matt Scott and Jason Taumalolo.
“They’ve got some good players in there and it’s important for us not to underestimate them,’’ he said.
“We didn’t have a fullstrength team last week (but) we had a lot to prove and we really wanted to win and we won, so we won’t be taking these guys lightly even with their main forwards missing.’’