The Gold Coast Bulletin

LIFE BEGINS AT 40

- CONNOR O’BRIEN connor.obrien@news.com.au

A STARRING performanc­e as the enemy led Crusaders-bound flyhalf Campbell Parata to The Southport School back in 2016.

Parata was outstandin­g in TSS’ big 40-5 win over Churchie at home on Saturday in Round 1 of the GPS First XV rugby competitio­n, nailing his first seven attempts at goal.

The 18-year-old was born in New Zealand but raised in Western Australia and it was in those state colours that his TSS journey began.

As part of the under-15 Junior Gold representa­tive tournament, Parata put on a show for Western Australia against Queensland – whose staff included TSS director of rugby Adrian Blundell.

“I came over for a Junior Gold comp and versed Mr Blundell’s team and then after that I ended up here. Pretty happy that I made the move,” Parata said.

“I was actually versing Tommy Van der Schyff and heaps of boys in our team that I play with now.

“Then I was lucky enough to come over in 2016 and play in the firsts in that Year 10 grade and just played here ever since.”

Parata, who has a deal in place for next year with Super Rugby side the Crusaders, was pleased with the team’s first-up effort.

“Our transition from attack to defence went well, plugging them in the corners and working off their mistakes in the back end. Our backline and our forward pack are pretty deadly so our front-row definitely stood up and used our set piece as a weapon,” he said.

“We have a lot to work on but it’s a good start to the season. GPS season is a win or die kind of thing so you can’t get too excited too soon.”

Discipline is among the early focus points.

“The penalty count in the first 10 minutes, it was just too much for our liking and just let them into the game after we scored early points so if we can cut down on that and build pressure, it will be really good,” Parata said.

Highlights included a 60m runaway try from a kick-off for captain Tom Van der Schyff.

“I didn’t think my legs were going to keep up with myself,” laughed the flanker, who praised Parata as a “special talent”.

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 ?? Pictures: GLENN HAMPSON ?? Young gun Campbell Parata kicks for goal in The Southport School’s 40-5 win over Churchie.
Pictures: GLENN HAMPSON Young gun Campbell Parata kicks for goal in The Southport School’s 40-5 win over Churchie.
 ?? MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM THE BIG DAY AT TSS GOLDCOASTB­ULLETIN.COM.AU ??
MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO FROM THE BIG DAY AT TSS GOLDCOASTB­ULLETIN.COM.AU
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