Thompson focused on higher honours

AS Rob Thompson tells it, not much comes out of Woodville.

He has, though, and he wants to be the very best he can be.

The 26yearold midfield back is on a mission over the next three seasons to try to crack higher honours and get that elusive black jersey.

He had already worn the New Zealand Maori jersey but it is the next one up he wants.

‘‘I have given myself the next two years, from now through to 2020 to get some higher honours. That is part of the plan why I have gone back to Manawatu to play my provincial rugby. Back to really test myself,’’ Thompson said.

‘‘I have also got a few young nephews coming through and I’d like to be a guiding hand and helping out.

‘‘It is going to be a change for me, moving from Canterbury. But at times with Canterbury last year I thought my teammates were carrying me and you could fall back on them . . . but now with going up to Manawatu I fell like I’m putting myself under pressure and see how I can react to that.’’

Thompson’s father, Geoff, who was an inspiration to him every day, died from cancer last year.

‘‘When he was young he planted the seed to always be better, always have that passion. Not a lot comes out of Woodville but me and my brother have and we are working hard for everything we can get.’’

His older brother, Isaac, played more than 30 games for Manawatu as a first fiveeighth about a decade ago before he played in Japan. He is now playing in a semiprofessional league in Canada.

Geoff Thompson was a freezing worker for 30 years before retraining in exercise physiology and helping patients with ailments such as obesity for 10 years.

Thompson’s form this season has been a stepup from last year and he is very much looking forward to the game

Highlanders:

in Suva tonight.

Thompson and midfield partner Tei Walden will be keys tonight as the Highlanders and Chiefs get back to business.

The Highlanders have three games left and could conceivably still host a playoff game. But the side would have to win all three games and hope the Hurricanes — five points ahead on the ladder — trip up.

The team arrived in Fiji on Thursday night and had a training run yesterday afternoon.

Both sides have exciting backlines and the Highlanders may well look to their tight five to get some ascendancy in the match and start to dominate.

Showers are forecast for Suva tonight.

The Chiefs have won the past two games against the Highlanders but the Highlanders are proving mighty tough to beat at home. Tonight, though, their home is nowhere near the bottom of the South Island.