Youngsters Stoked by Crusader visit
With the rugby season just kicking off, Nelson’s young talent warmed up for Saturday’s games by taking on their Crusader heroes.
Three members of the 2018 squad - vice captain Matt Todd and Tasman Mako players Quinten Strange and Andrew Makalio, visited Stoke School as part of a Placemakers-sponsored visit to three schools in the region last week.
The players fielded some tough questions from pupils, including ‘‘How do you handle your emotions when you lose a game?’’, ‘‘How do you get so good at rugby?’’, ‘‘ What keeps you positive?’’ and ‘‘If you were a superhero what superpower would you have?’’
Following the Q&A, the senior boys and girls participated in a series of games and drills with the players, as well as a short training session with some of the school’s rugbyplaying pupils.
Stoke deputy principal Craig Logan said the invitation to host Todd, Makalio and Strange had been a pleasant surprise that had been warmly received by pupils and staff.
‘‘Ever since the start of term when they knew the Crusaders were coming, there’s been these mini-games of touch or ‘held’ starting up at lunchtimes - and you’re getting some who’ve never played before going; ‘I’ll have a go at this’, and that’s what it’s all about.’’
A product of Collingwood Area School and Nelson College, Strange said the chance to interact with the next batch of rugby talent was an enjoyable part of professional rugby life.
‘‘I’ve been looking forward to it for quite a while - it’s not often you get to come back to the region as a Crusader - it’s just really good to give back to kids within our Super province.’’
A 13-test All Black, 30-year-old Todd was hopeful of being able to add to his international tally when the squad for June’s series against France is announced on May 20.
‘‘We’ll wait and see, you never know.’’