Junior knight leading the Rangiora charge in UC Champs

Rangiora HS flanker George Prain revelled in his time in the Crusaders’ Junior Knights, even though he never got on the field.

Prain’s strong form in the UC Rugby Championship was rewarded with selection into the Crusaders’ Knights Training Camp, where he was then selected in the squad to take on the Hurricanes U18s in Wellington.

‘‘I was picked as a development player so I just went up with team, trained and warmed up but didn’t play. It was still a pretty incredible experience and I learnt heaps from it,’’ Prain said.

The year 12 student will get another crack to make the squad and earn some playing time next year, but his focus is helping Rangiora finish strong in their UC Championship campaign.

‘‘The team has been tracking really well and putting out good performances most weeks.

‘‘I can’t really put it down to anything other than everyone has gelled as a team and are playing some good rugby.’’

Sitting in sixth, Rangiora are still an outside chance at the top four but need to pick up wins and bonus points in the final three weeks.

That starts with Lincoln Combined at Lincoln this weekend, then a bye before a crucial clash with Christ’s College.

It is already proving to be Rangiora’s best campaign and if they miss the top four, they still have a chance at higher honours.

Current holders of the competitions Co-Ed challenge shield, they sit two points behind St Andrew’s College.

If they can finish higher, they will earn a place in the South Island Co-Ed final against the top team from the south, with the winner of that match heading to the National Top Four Final’s.