Like most young rugby players Jaden Murphy dreams about playing for the All Blacks.
It's obvious the Taradale Intermediate School Year 8 student is prepared to swap positions and clubs as required to achieve his goal. Last year he played second five-eighth for the Napier West team which won the Wakely Shield under 50kg tournament in Taradale.
This week he played No 8 as Napier West retained the shield at the 13th edition of the tournament which caters for players from intermediate and primary schools. One of three co-captains in his team which beat Hastings West 28-22 in the final after leading 14-12 at halftime, Murphy, also took home the Josh Kronfeld Medal for Player of the Tournament.
"I was proud as when I heard my name read out for that one," Murphy said.
He is in his second year with the Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports Club after previously playing for the Taradale club. Next year he will attend St John's College and he is eyeing a career as a pilot in the New Zealand Air Force.