Proctor steps up on Kiwis service
HIS flowing dreadlocks make him hard to miss on the field but Kevin Proctor is one of the quiet achievers in the Kiwis squad.
The Te Kuiti-born back-rower first toured with New Zealand during the 2011 Four Nations without taking the field and had to wait another 12 months before making his debut.
Since then, he’s become a mainstay in the Kiwis pack and while he doesn’t get the plaudits of some of his high-profile teammates, Proctor is now one of the first forwards picked.
It’s a similar story at the Melbourne Storm, where after 179 games the 27-year-old has developed into a leader alongside the ‘Big Three’ of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater as well as New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich.
Proctor has been a model of consistency on the right edge and he was one of the few players to walk off with his head high following last week’s 26-6 defeat to the Kangaroos in Perth.
It’s only natural that, after 13 tests, Proctor is now taking on more responsibility in the Kiwis and with former skipper Simon Mannering ruled out of the Four Nations, they will need his leadership more than ever.
‘‘I feel like one of the older guys too, it’s a pretty young crew,’’ said Proctor.
‘‘I do feel like a leader, that experience helps out a little bit and I just try and help out the younger guys whenever I can and do my job, that’s the biggest thing.’’
Proctor is a creature of habit. He puts his consistency down to finding a routine with his preparation and sticking to it.
It also helps when you get to learn off some of the best players in the game every day in Melbourne.
‘‘You’ve got the likes of Coops [Cooper Cronk] and Cameron Smith who are just unreal,’’ Proctor said.
‘‘I’ve learned a bit of professionalism off them and ‘Hoffy’ [ex-Storm forward turned Warriors captain Ryan Hoffman] was good for me because he played in the same position and taught me a few things.’’
Proctor also has a very forgiving partner, Leesa, to be thankful for – otherwise Kiwis coach David Kidwell would be down another key forward.
Proctor was a late arrival into camp for the Kangaroos clash as he awaited the birth of his second child.
And he admitted it took some convincing getting his boarding pass to spend the next five weeks on tour in England.
‘‘She’s wasn’t too happy,’’ he said with a smile.
‘‘We had a couple of days at home just recently and I tried to do all the nappy changing I could just to help her out because it will be a long five weeks.’’
If baby duties weren’t enough, Proctor also has the important matter of his playing future to weigh up following the Four Nations.
Despite being contracted with the Storm until the end of 2018, the Gold Coast Titans have reportedly offered Proctor $1.6 million over three years to leave the NRL grand finalists.
Proctor has strong ties to the Gold Coast having moved there from New Zealand when he was 12. He attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School where he met his partner and also played in the same team as Kiwis winger Jordan Rapana.
Proctor was keeping his cards close to his chest but Bromwich is desperately hoping his close friend remains in Melbourne.
‘‘I’ve played my whole career with him and to see him go would be pretty sad because he’s pretty close to me and my family.’’