Hallam-eames turbo-charged for big season

"It is always a bonus chucking on that Turbos jersey. I just want to do whatever I can to help out the boys." Liam Hallam-eames

Liam Hallam-eames is hoping to play a bigger role in the Manawatu Turbos in his second season of provincial rugby.

The 21-year-old heads into the Turbos campaign on a high after picking up the Hankins Shield with club Old Boys-marist.

His club campaign has seen him branch out into the new role of blindside flanker.

The regular lock said he was happy to add some more versatility to his game.

‘‘It is a good experience,’’ he said. ‘‘It is pretty good to add that to my forte and have that flexibility. The boys have made it a lot easier helping me out, adapting to it.’’

But it is a position he is unlikely to play in Manawatu’s provincial campaign with the side well serviced by players capable of packing down on the short side of the scrum.

The likes of Jackson Hemopo, Nick Crosswell and Liam Mitchell are all also capable of playing both lock and flanker, while Heiden Bedwell-curtis and Harrison Brewer are others at home at blindside flanker.

At 1.99m, Hallam-eames can lay claim to being the tallest player in the team, beating fellow specialist lock Tom Parsons by 1cm.

There is also 2.03m Tom Hughes waiting in the wings.

Hallam-eames played three games for the Turbos in 2016 including one start. But he was

hoping to increase that this year.

‘‘A goal of mine is to get regular game time,’’ he said. ‘‘It is always a bonus chucking on that Turbos jersey. I just want to do whatever I can to help out the boys and have a successful season with them.’’

Becoming a star at set piece could be the key for him to get on the field.

He said much of the focus for the team has been correcting the line out, scrum and kickoff issues that plagued them for much of last year.

With the club season over, the Turbos are into full training now.

But there are a few lingering injury concerns.

Harrison Brewer is going through the concussion protocol after he was knocked out while playing for Te Kawau on the weekend. Liam Mitchell aggravated an ankle injury in the same match.

The extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed but he is expected to be sidelined for part of the preseason.

Newton Tudreu is still twothree weeks away from being cleared to play as he recovers from the knee injury he picked up playing North Harbour last year.

That means he is touch and go for the side’s preseason campaign matches he dearly needs to get up to match fitness.

Nathan Tudreu returned from his knee injury in the Hankins Shield final.

While he is back playing, the injury remains an issue.

Halfback Jamie Booth is back from his quad injury he picked up while playing for the New Zealand sevens team.

Super Rugby players will drip back into the squad over the coming weeks.

Players are entitled to two weeks off following the end of the Super Rugby campaigns meaning Highlanders Jackson Hemopo and Kayne Hammington will be the first men on deck and could be available for the final preseason match.

The first match of the Turbos’ season is against Wellington in Palmerston North on August 20.