The brother of all battles

Proctor boys to vie for spots in Hurricanes midfield

Never mind Vince Aso, new All Black Matt Proctor’s stiffest competition could come from little brother Billy.

The elder Proctor appears poised to make his test debut, when New Zealand meet Japan on Tokyo on Saturday, but that doesn’t give him a mortgage on the Hurricanes’ No 13 jumper next year. When they’re all fit, Aso, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape and Wes Goosen provide the Hurricanes with plenty of midfield options.

They’ve only been added to by the presence of 19-year-old Billy Proctor, who is tipped for big things after signing a five-year deal with the Super Rugby franchise.

‘‘Since I first saw him play an under-16 tournament in Levin, I have never had too much doubt he’d be in Super footy before long,’’ Hurricanes backs coach Jason Holland said yesterday.

‘‘He’s had a pretty good season with the [Wellington] Lions playing out of position [at second five-eighth]. His best position’s 13 but, because he’s a talented footballer, he can play 12 or even 15.’’

Centre, though, is his brother’s spot, which could make things interesting in the seasons to come.

‘‘That’s not to say Billy can’t play somewhere else, but I think long-term Billy’s spot is 13. It is ironic because they play quite similarly,’’ said Holland of the Proctors.

‘‘There’s no worries about [Billy’s] physicality and his intention around his D or his carry and he is really accurate. He’s had to learn that and he’s a really good learner Billy. He wants to be better and he works his socks off.

‘‘I’d put my house on it that Billy’s going to be a long-time professional footy player and we want to help him try and get to the top level.’’

That’s high praise for a teenager and the type of talk that could turn someone’s head or create a burden of expectation.

‘‘He’s not the only one we’ve got quite high hopes for. Part of our job is to help the boys understand nothing’s going to come easy, you’ve got to work hard and go through your processes. Billy’s a smart kid and he gets that already,’’ Holland said. ‘‘He’ll be sweet with that.’’ Wing Salesi Rayasi is another exciting talent the Hurricanes have secured for next year, along with first five-eighth Fletcher Smith.

The former Highlander is Calls from Dad are commonplace for Salesi Rayasi.

They’re especially so since shifting to play for Auckland this year, when it became the easiest way for he and father Filipe to stay in touch. One particular call will always stand out, though.

‘‘It was maybe second week, third week [of the Mitre 10 Cup season] and [Hurricanes coach] John Plumtree rung my dad and then my dad rung me and I was a bit shocked that the Canes were asking for my number and I was pretty keen to come home,’’ wing Salesi Rayasi said after signing a one-year deal with the Hurricanes.

Born and raised in Wellington, the province father Filipe played for, becoming a Hurricane had always been Rayasi’s dream.

‘‘That’s why I was a bit shocked. I’d always seen them on

another player Holland raves about. ‘‘His skillset’s phenomenal. His passing and kicking game is right up there with anyone,’’ said Holland.

‘‘Rotation’’ will be in vogue at the Hurricanes next year, with their All Blacks requiring weeks off or longer spells on the bench than the customary five or 10 minutes. That means players