Turbos’ homework tips
‘‘The ones that do homework when the teachers aren’t watching, those ones are the ones that are going to go the furthest.’’
Sione Asi
Roslyn School children found inspiration in an up-close chat with Manawatu¯ Turbos players Sione Asi and Junior Laloifi.
During a special visit to the school yesterday, the players talked about the team then answered questions from their young fans.
Raven Wiari-matthews, 10, asked who could be a good rugby player.
‘‘Anyone can be a rugby player, anyone in this room. To be a great rugby player, do the extra hard work when no-one’s watching,’’ Asi told him.
Being in the team was like going to school, working hard in training classes and doing extra ‘‘homework’’ afterwards, he said.
‘‘The ones that do homework when the teachers aren’t watching, those ones are the ones that are going to go the furthest.’’
‘‘That was pretty cool,’’ 12-year-old Tyla Baker said.
‘‘I learned you don’t have to be good to join in a team and you don’t have to be confident, because you can grow your skills by going to the trainings.’’
Cory Tuimana, 12, said during games he liked ‘‘watching their decisions about how to score the tries and the layout of the players’’.
‘‘It’s cool they came today so we can learn more about them. I was surprised one of them was from Tonga – that’s where my dad’s from.’’
Year 8 pupil Kathryn Hazelwood asked them who their sports heroes were.
‘‘Dougie Howlett. He’s a very fast winger and I looked up to him when I was young,’’ Laloifi said. Asi said his rugby hero was Jonah Lomu.
Asked what their dream jobs would be outside rugby, Asi said social work, like his dad, and Laloifi said playing football, ‘‘but I was horrible at it’’.
Asi said he enjoyed the community-interaction part of his role.
‘‘There’s no better feeling than running out on to the field with a full crowd and kids cheering you on – so the more people there the better.’’
Raven Wiari-matthews said it was interesting to talk to the players up close and good to have them visit his school.
‘‘They are a really good rugby team and it’s an exciting sport. It’s good because they represent Manawatu¯ .’’
The Turbos open their Mitre 10 Cup campaign against Waikato in Palmerston North on Saturday.