TSS ace begins his NZ crusade
THE Southport School playmaker Campbell Parata has signed a contract to train in the champion Crusaders system in New Zealand where he hopes to rub shoulders with All Blacks idol Richie Mo’unga.
The kneejerk reaction is to sigh at the loss of a bright youngster from Australian rugby but Parata, 18, has never had eyes for anything but a return to his proud Kiwi roots to develop his rugby.
“I grew up watching Dan Carter as my favourite player but now it’s (Super Rugby winner) Richie Mo’unga for his all-round game, that crazy running and kicking,” Parata said.
Both Parata’s Wellingtonbred parents are living back in NZ after the family’s journey took him to Perth as a fouryear-old where he first caught the eye for the Wanneroo club and in Western Australian sides at 15.
The Southport School setup for him as a Year 12 boarder has polished his skills as an organised director of play, superb left-footed goalkicker and smart kicker in general play.
“Having the extra atmosphere around rugby at TSS and training most days has been excellent because I’m always working on improvements to my defence, taking the ball to the line in attack and my positional play,” Parata said.
“I head to NZ in December to train in the Tasman academy (within the Crusaders system).
“It was always the plan that I go back to NZ. It’s going to be exciting and the NZ Under-20s is one of my goals (just as Mo’unga played in 2014).”
Far more immediate are his dreams with undefeated TSS (4-0) in GPS rugby, a pivotal clash against Brisbane Boys’ College on Saturday and learning from last weekend’s 25-20 close call against Brisbane Grammar.
Parata had a rare off day with his kicking against Grammar but he was mature enough to adjust because he shelved kicking into the second half wind to concentrate on smart inside passes and distribution.