Taranaki schoolmates duel for halfback berth
Surprised by her selection in the Canterbury women’s rugby team this season, Kate Ebrahim doesn’t mind shifting to the bench for world champion Black Ferns halfback Kendra Cocksedge.
Canterbury will play competition favourites Counties Manukau away this weekend and Ebrahim will be sidelined to make room for Cocksedge, who has been rested since the Rugby World Cup final in Ireland.
Ebrahim, a Canterbury cricket representative and an outside chance for the White Ferns, said she has been enjoying the new environment with the rugby team.
Both from Taranaki, she and Cocksedge went to New Plymouth Girls’ High School just a couple of years apart and grew up playing sport alongside each other.
There was always some good rivalry and mateship, Ebrahim said.
‘‘We’ve both played a bit of cricket together, we are blimmin similar really. We always give each other a hard time and throw a bit of banter around.’’
While Cocksedge chose to pursue her successful rugby career, Ebrahim said her sights were still on the White Ferns jersey.
While she is loving rugby, she is happy to be a second stringer to her pal.
‘‘I’ve still got my eyes firmly on the White Ferns. I want to back up my season with the [Canterbury] Magicians and just keep making sure I am enjoying my cricket. If I can put in consistent performances, any further selections will take care of themselves.’’
All-rounder Ebrahim (nee Broadmore) led Canterbury to the one-day final last February, scoring 100 not out in the final the third ton of her career.
A natural sportswoman, the 25-year-old represented Taranaki in rugby, hockey and cricket. However, she was shocked when included in the Canterbury rugby team.
‘‘To be honest, being in the Canterbury squad has been a hell of a surprise, then being a starter while Kendra has been away. I haven’t really thought where I would want to go with my rugby.’’
Having Cocksedge back fresh from a World Cup win would boost the side, who have had only one loss of three matches this season.
‘‘I couldn’t learn from a better role model, she’s the best in the world at her position. Me on the bench behind Kendra is all fine with me, I don’t expect to be on the field with her around. I can learn a lot off the bench.’’
The entire Canterbury squad had watched the Black Ferns final with anticipation last month, which created a kind of ‘‘buzz’’ at trainings she said. In comparison, watching the White Ferns’ Cricket World Cup failure in June was a much harder pill for Ebrahim to swallow after she narrowly missed out on selection.
‘‘Seeing the result was tough and I felt sorry for the girls. We all wanted them to do well at the World Cup. I guess it’s just time to look and move forward.’’
While Ebrahim missed out on world cup experience, the past 12 months has brough a lot of great joy she said, marrying her partner Dion Ebrahim, a Canterbury Cricket high performance coach.
‘‘Every day is booked [with training] unfortunately. I’m just lucky to have an understanding husband who cooks me dinner, we are a team.’’
Kick off against Counties Manukau will be at 12pm on Saturday at Massey Park, Papakura.