Kiwi player gets rub of the green

This time four years ago Sean Reidy would have just wrapped up club rugby with his old club Patumahoe.

However, fast forward to 2016, and the former Counties Manukau player has just competed for the first time on the international test arena for Ireland.

Reidy was selected to play against South Africa as a flanker and in June made his test debut in the 70th minute of the second game of the series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

‘‘It’s crazy how far and how quick things can happen - in a couple of years I’m over there playing for Ulster and now I’m in the Irish set-up, it’s pretty surreal really.’’

Reidy’s based at Irish rugby club Ulster in Belfast and was back in Pukekohe for a short break before rugby pre-season.

He said it’s been good to come home and see all his nephews and nieces, after two years of adjusting to life in the Northern Hemisphere.

‘‘It was obviously a bit of a change with the weather and it was probably a little bit slower kind of rugby too.’’

With a number of players of internationals in Ireland, you’re never too far from a southern hemisphere friend, he said.

‘‘I’ve adapted pretty well and the people are really friendly over there - they’re very similar to the Kiwis.’’

Reidy, who holds a Irish passport through his grandfather, wasn’t expecting a call up to the Irish national rugby team.

‘‘It did came as a bit of a shock that they were looking at me but I’m just really happy that I got the opportunity.’’

He said he didn’t hesitate when he got the chance to pull on the Irish jersey.

‘‘Obviously when you’re grow- ing up you always think about the All Blacks and that’s the dream to play for them, but the opportunity came in Ireland and you’ve got to take it with two hands while you’re still young.’’

Ireland lost the test series 2-1 and there’s no bigger challenge than facing South Africa at home, Reidy said.

‘‘They’re pretty big boys in Ellis Park at Jo’berg over there so it was pretty good and I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m just hoping to get some games now,’’ he said.

‘‘It was a bit of step-up but they’re the opportunities you get to learn from matches.’’

Now he’s caught the international test bug, Reidy said he’s keen for more minutes on the field.

‘‘I really want to push for an Irish spot, there’s a lot of competition especially around the flanker position - I’ve just got to play well week in week out.’’

With a host of talented players in New Zealand, Reidy said it’s good to look at options and players never know what could happen with a slice of good luck.

‘‘Set your goals and know what you want to get out of it.’’ - those intense