Walden goes to the top of the class
Teihorangi Walden has future coach written all over him, if he wants to go down that path. The No 12 has always been one of the most intelligent midfielders in Super Rugby, making up for a relative lack of bulk with his deep rugby nous and knowledge of when to straighten the line or give the ball some width.
Now, he’s got the paperwork to match that IQ, having completed a Bachelor of Science degree while in lockdown, majoring in geography with a minor in te reo Ma¯ ori.
‘‘My three-year degree took me eight years, so a little bit longer than usual but I got there,’’ says the 27-year-old, adding that the pressure from his parents was finally over.
‘‘It’s a weight off the shoulders. ‘‘Hopefully I’ll graduate next year when there is a spot. I’ll get it done eventually but I’m just stoked to get the tick of approval that I passed.’’
That achievement is a reminder that we should be careful at how we judge rugby players: they might not always appear to be bookish types as they put their other lives on hold while they pursue a professional sporting career, but more than a few are accomplished in other fields.
It’s also a reminder of what the Highlanders missed when Walden was absent for the first part of the year, held back by frustrating injury niggles that kept him off the paddock.
Now he’s back and the Highlanders will benefit from the voice that he brings.
Watch a Highlanders game closely and you see that Walden is one of those players who talks a lot, providing an extra set of eyes for his No 10 and communicating well to his outsides.
It’s no coincidence that when the Highlanders have fired in past couple of years the midfield partnership of Walden and Rob Thompson have been on the paddock. Alongside the coaches, Walden has seen a few things the Highlanders quickly need to tidy up as they head into Super Rugby Aotearoa.
‘‘A big one for us is our execution when times got tough, under fatigue. Our skill sets probably weren’t up to scratch,’’ Walden says.
‘‘In this competition we’re going to have to be on form with our skills, and we’re going to have to be fit.
‘‘Those are areas we’ve been focusing on: our fitness and our decision making under pressure.’’
Walden also gave a glimpse inside the sacrifices Super Rugby players are still making as the rest of New Zealand slowly returns to a form of normality.
While the rest of us celebrated moving into alert level 2 by getting a haircut or perhaps even a few beers, the players have been told to keep away from malls and bars.
‘‘Our lockdown in level 2 isn’t the same as everybody else,’’ Walden says.
‘‘We’re keeping our bubble pretty tight as players and just being advised to avoid going into public areas as much as we can.
‘‘We’ve just been keeping tight as a team, coming home, going to training, and then back home again.
‘‘Being apart for so long, for nine weeks, and then getting chance to come back together to play the sport we love, we’re really lucky,’’ he says.
‘‘It’s more excitement about what’s ahead. We stayed connected throughout the break via WhatsApp and our Zoom calls.
‘‘We were able to get through it together and it’s great to be back.’’