Proctor keen to extend his stay as Saints near potential
MATT Proctor admits the huge promise and potential to win trophies at Northampton could persuade him to prolong his stay in English club rugby.
The one-cap All Black is set to hold talks with the club over a new contract with less than a year remaining on his current deal at Franklin’s Gardens.
Utility back Proctor, who turns 29 this month, believes that silverware could be just around the corner with Chris Boyd’s men having made a strong start to the campaign.
Proctor insists he is “loving” his time in the Premiership having endured a tough opening year due to a combination of Covid and on-field results, when he signed from Hurricanes in 2019.
“It is too soon to say what will happen down the road but if the opportunity came I would like to stay,” said Proctor, whose All Black cap came against Japan in November 2018. “There is a lot of promise in this side and I believe this team will do something special in the next couple of years. To be a part of that would be awesome.
“I’m enjoying being at Saints and playing for a great club. I’m getting plenty of game time and have loved my time here even if things were made tougher due to Covid when I came over.
“Going into lockdown and the team having a bad run of games meant it was hard to go through. We had been a top-four team but then went on a big losing streak. But I’ve had a good experience here and I am pretty positive about this season – it’s started very well and it’s exciting about where we can take it.”
Saints’ victory at Exeter last week was a real statement and showed they have added a tough mental and steely defensive lining to complement their attacking style.
Proctor, who scored in the 26-24 victory at Sandy Park, added: “Last season we would go on the road and pick up a good win but then return home and put in a couple of bang average performances. There is a big emphasis on being consistent and maintaining the high level of performance you need to get into the top four. We need to keep backing up the performances with another a week later and then another.
“Our defence has come a long way in a short space of time. Last season we conceded 30 plus points in the opening two games. Even though we were not happy conceded those 14 points early at Exeter we did not let things fall away. Previous teams might have thrown in the towel and it could have been a runaway from us. But we showed we have the toughness and ability to stay in the fight and battle our way back. It showed a lot of growth in this group of players.
“We are starting to believe in ourselves and what we are doing. We know it is there. We know we have the potential and everything is in place – if we can get the back-toback wins it can build momentum and belief.”