Experienced Northcott determined to impress
Hamish Northcott is making the most of being among the more experienced faces in the Turbos squad as he moves within striking distance of 50 matches.
The Turbos midfielder will play his 46th game in green and white when the side takes on Otago at Central Energy Trust Arena at 5.50pm on Saturday.
The 26-year-old is entering the prime of his career and believes there is plenty of benefits to being both experienced, but also young.
“Experience is something that you have to go through and I am understanding that now. You are more aware of things that will happen in games because you have been there and done that and seen it all before. At the same time, I am still willing to learn and listen. There are still things that you can add in terms of your knowledge of the game.”
One new experience for Northcott this year was a stint at first five-eighth in preseason when injuries hit the squad.
“I actually enjoyed it,” he said. “If you know the systems, what is going on and what the team is trying to achieve, then it’s easier to fill in. I like to know what is going on anyway, so it was not much extra.”
Northcott made his Turbos debut in 2012, quickly becoming a mainstay in the backline.
In 2014, he had a breakout season, which was enough to convince the Blues to contract him for 2015.
But with a change in coaching staff, Northcott was left on the Super Rugby outer the following season.
He said he is not putting his focus on a Super Rugby return.
“I just want to focus on the here and now. I want to play really well for Manawatu. If I do that, everything else will take care of itself.”
Fronting for the Turbos is even more important this year given that Rob Thompson and Lifeimi Mafi are battling him each week for game time in the midfield. “You can’t be complacent so when you do get that opportunity, you just have to take it. You can’t take it for granted,” he said.
The Turbos seem to lift for their home matches and Northcott put that down to the home fans.
“The small community means there is a sense of belonging with the fans whether it’s an ex player who you speak to, or your family and friends or the bucketheads in the corner, there is something unique about our small community and they really get behind us.”
Northcott’s presence in the midfield has helped give the Turbos backline a Sky Blue tinge this year.
He is one of six Varsity backs in the squad, along with Nehe Milner-skudder, Te Rangatira Waitokia, Thompson, Sam Malcolm and Jamie Booth. The group all ended up on the field together during their win over Waikato in week one.
“The boys noticed it at training when we did our backs split. Six of the seven backs were Sky Blues and we had a wee giggle. It is pretty cool to see. The guys are all over the place with Super Rugby and things like that for much of the year so every opportunity we have to play together, we will make the most of it.”