Black keen to make up for lost time At a glance
In what’s been a terrible year in the career of Otere Black, he at least gets the chance to finish it off on a good note, with the New Zealand Ma¯ ori team.
The 23-year-old, who’ll play at first-five against the USA tomorrow, was expected to lead the Blues around the field this season.
However, he picked up a knee injury before the season began and not only missed the entire Super Rugby campaign but also had to sit out the first half of the Mitre 10 Cup season with Manawatu¯ .
Black doesn’t hide his disappointment at how 2018 has gone, but he is at least looking forward to playing against the USA in Chicago this weekend, then the once in a lifetime opportunities to play games against Chile and Brazil.
‘‘It wasn’t the year I wanted it to be with my injury, but to be back in this side and hopefully finish on a good note was what I was after,’’ Black said.
‘‘First and foremost, I was stoked to be back in the team and now the hard work begins.
‘‘I expected to be out for a wee while, but I targeted this part of the year to put some good performances together, over the back end of the Mitre 10 Cup, to give myself a shot for this team.
‘‘It was frustrating early on, but it is rewarding at the moment.’’
It would be too much to expect Black to be at his very best on this short tour, with the limited rugby he’s had this year, and he admits he’s still getting up to speed with the rigours of playing in games.
But each minute he spends on the training paddock or in a game, will help him on his journey back.
‘‘I still think there’s a long way to go,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m finding a bit of confidence again and I’ve only played six games this year.
‘‘It’s not going to happen straight away and I’ve got to be patient with that.
‘‘But this tour will give me a good indication of where I’m at, in terms of the level of footy.’’
Like all players who represent NZ Ma¯ori, Black feels there’s something special in this side that isn’t there with other teams and it’s always a proud achievement for him and his family to pull on the jersey.
‘‘It means a lot,’’ he said.
‘‘I was brought up in the Ma¯ ori world and for my family it’s a huge honour for them, especially for the people back home. The Ma¯ ori All Blacks, is the All Blacks from where I’m from.
‘‘So it’s very satisfying to see a smile on their faces and hopefully I’ll make them proud.’’
The game against USA at Soldier Field in Chicago is part of a tripleheader, with the Black Ferns taking on the American women’s side and a test between the Ireland and Italian men’s teams.
They then head to South America, which will be a new experience for Black.
Chile and Brazil will be unknown opponents for NZ Ma¯ori and it’s difficult to imagine them being competitive, but NZ Ma¯ori’s trip to South America will help grow the game in that part of the world. NZ Maori: Shaun Stevenson, Jonah Lowe, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Regan Ware, Otere Black, Brad Weber, Akira Ioane, Mitch Karpik, Reed Prinsep, Pari Pari Parkinson, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Ben May, Ash Dixon (c), Chris Eves. Reserves, Robbie Abel, Ross Wright, Marcel Renata, Hoani Matenga, Billy Harmon, Jonathan Ruru, Josh Ioane, Matty Lansdown.
‘‘I’ve never been to South America before so I’m pretty excited to head over there, experience that side of the world and see how things happen,’’ Black said.
‘‘I’m assuming part of the tour is to do with promoting the brand of footy and especially Ma¯ ori rugby.
‘‘It’s going to be pretty exciting and I’m sure the people over there will love watching the style of footy we play and we’ll be able to bring a few fans in.’’