AB an inspiration at former school
Brad Weber has treated the NBHS U14 team with a guest appearance
Without Napier Boys’ High School, BradWeber believes he would not have achieved what he has in his rugby career. Namedin the All Blacks squad recently, Brad returned to his former school and surprised the under-14 rugby team— many ofwhomaspire to get to where he is.
Herecalls former students and rugby players visiting the school during his time to pass on inspiration and felt he should do the same.
“Iwas very lucky to have a few successful years here and Iwouldn’t be a professional rugby player if I didn’tcometo Napier Boys’ and go through the rugby and school system here,” he says.
Off the field, he also credits his teachers with enabling himto get an education and study at the University of Otago.
During his time atNBHSfrom 2004-2009, Brad went from playing in the F grade to spending his last three years in the 1stXVsquad. He says the key is knowing that if you work hard enough, “you will definitely get there”.
Aside from the All Blacks, Brad nowplays for the Chiefs and Hawke’s Bay Magpies. Earlier this month, he played for Hawke’s Bay in the Mitre 10CupChampionship.
While he does not get to spend as muchtime in the region as he used to, Brad says he pops into the school
“everynowand again”, and last spoke to the 1stXVa fewyears ago.
Last Thursday’s visit proved extra special for the under-14 team, who have had a disrupted season due to Covid-19.
There were cheers of excitement as the boys crossed the rugby field to their last training session for the season.
Brad spent time playing withthem and gave themsomeencouragement and pointers. His advice to a young halfbackwas to “get as fit as he possibly can”.
“Thegameis easier as ahalfback whenyou’re the fittest on the field. Whenever I’ve playedmybest rugby iswhenI’ve got myself in the best shape.”
Captain George Hancywas rendered “speechless” by Brad’s presence.
Halfback Kyle Halliwell says he has always lookedup to Brad, along with TJ Perenara, and was grateful to spend a training with him. Under-14 forwards coach Billy Te Hiko coached Brad during his formative years alongside hisownsons, and together with manager and wife Delwyn Te Hiko, has a long-standing relationship with Brad’s family. Backs coach and head of mathematics Stu Gourdie also taught a young Brad.
MrTe Hiko says he hoped Brad’s appearanceshowed the boys there is a “pathway” for them in rugby if they choose: “Hopefully somewhere the seed might be planted, and they will endup getting into the big time if they put their mindto it.”
Hopefully somewhere the seed might be planted, and they will end up getting into the big time if they put their mind to it.
As the under-14 team is a tournament side, playerscomefrom seven different teams over three grades and don’t play together regularly.
Covid-19 and the alert levels had disrupted all but one of the scheduled tournaments. The Super 8U14 Rugby Tournament held in Palmerston North earlier this monthendedup being the only one this year.
“Itwas a pretty tough tournament for the boys, and it presented a few challenges because they weren’t used to playing different types of rugby against different types of teams,” Mr Te Hiko says. However, he says itwas a “learning curve” for the team.
Billy Te Hiko, U14 forwards coach