Turbos and Cyclones honour influential women
Mum’s the word as the Manawatu Turbo and Manawatu Cyclones celebrate Wahine Round in the Mitre 10 Cup and Farah Palmer Cup.
Both teams are embracing the New Zealand Rugby-led round that gives the players a chance to acknowledge of not only women but those who have been influential to them.
Unsurprisingly for most of the players, it was their mothers who the players listed as the most influential person in their lives.
Turbos hooker Tim Cadwallader said his mother was one of his biggest supporters both on and off the field.
‘‘She has always been there for me when strife happens or there is set backs in life,’’ he said.
‘‘I feel like no matter what decision I make. Mum is going to be the first person to back me up. It makes decisions a lot easier when you know you have someone who is going to back you up no matter what.’’
For Cyclones lock Rachel Rakatau, it was more about trying to emulate her mother’s hard-working approach to life.
‘‘She has a great work ethic which she has taught my brother, sister and I. She works really hard on the farm and has taught us so much about always showing up, giving it your best and winning. Her motto is if you are second, you are last, so we always grew up trying to achieve the greatest that we could.’’
Turbos wing James Tofa said his mother was the person who regularly checks up on him to make sure he is on track.
‘‘She is a big support base behind my rugby. I think it always good to have mum who is willing to check up on you and make sure you have eaten, and my body is fine and everything is going smooth and that she has nothing to worry about. She is good motivation for me to do what I do to the best of my ability.’’
It was that kind of support that make’s Sean Paranihi’s mother so important to him.
He said her ability to cheer him up when things were not going well helped him deal with issues on and off the field.
‘‘She is a good lady that always brings a lot of positivity and that positivity is passed down to me. So when I am down, she is normally the first person that picks up.’’
But the key message from the players, was the importance of the support their mothers give them.
‘‘She is there for me no matter what, she supports me in everything and is always there at all my games,’’ Cyclones wing Kalyn Takitimu-cook said.
‘‘It is like an anchor for me having my mum on the sideline. I get onto the field and I know it is going to be OK. If I get hurt, I know my mum is there to look after me.’’
The Turbos and Cyclones will are supporting Wahine Round in a big week of matches for the side.
The Turbos take on Tasman at CET Arena at 7.35pm on Wednesday night. Then on Sunday it is a double header as the Cyclones take on Canterbury at 2.05pm and the Turbos play Wellington at 4.35pm.