Perofeta proving he’s a top 10 hit
The New Zealand under-20s rugby side might be overflowing with talent, but none has enjoyed a swifter rise than Stephen Perofeta.
The first five-eighths was in his final year at Wanganui Collegiate in 2015 and missed selection for the New Zealand Schools team (six of this under-20s side did). He played for the second-tier New Zealand Barbarians Schools — an equally professional programme — before a full Heartland Championship campaign with Wanganui was capped by success on the Heartland XV’s internal tour.
At 19, Perofeta is what is known as “a year young” in this programme, meaning he is also eligible next year.
“This time last year I was just trying to push for Hurricanes Schools,” said Perofeta, who is of Samoan heritage.
“Everything since has happened pretty fast, but I have enjoyed the [different] environments.”
Perofeta is also a handy fullback and appears well equipped to handle pivot for the under-20s on their tour of Australia and for June’s world championships in England.
He has nice hands, a good pass and that priceless asset for a No 10 that Beauden Barrett has exemplified — pace. While Perofeta’s tactical kicking was not always on the money in the win over the Blues emerging players on Thursday, when he was subbed on for the second spell, his accuracy off the tee was shown in his three matches for the Heartland XV in November, when he chalked up 58 points, including three tries.
“Wanganui was an experience coming out of school where the pack was tiny compared to the Heartland team,” he said.
“They were bigger and stronger and got go-forward, so it wasn’t too hard for me.”
His form for Wanganui was compelling, with eight tries in seven games including a hat-trick against Poverty Bay and a couple of startling solo efforts.
By that stage he had already aroused interest from Taranaki, who have signed him for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup.
It is not a stretch to say that a solid under-20s campaign next week in Australia, with internationals on Tuesday and Saturday, and at the world championship could see him secure plenty of game time for Colin Cooper’s amber and blacks from August.
Perofeta, like injured lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, was at school in a Heartland union last season, which shows players can still earn opportunities from a nonprofessional set-up.
His early rugby in Wanganui has meant Perofeta has played with few, if any, of this New Zealand under-20s side, so he is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with players inside — Sam Nock — and outside — Sio Tomkinson — who have played Super Rugby.