Coast’s player of the year

A GREAT TEAM MAN: Flanker Jack Richardson in Heartland Championship action for Ngati Porou East Coast against Hororowhenua Kapiti. Richardson, in his debut season for the Coast, was stunned to be named his side’s player of the year, deflecting the praise to other teammates. He was described by his coaches as “a key figure”, “courageous” and “a great team man”. Picture by Paul Rickard

Jack Richardson couldn’t believe it when he was named Ngati Porou East Coast’s player of the year at the end-of-season prize-giving in the Tokomaru Bay clubrooms.

“Mate, I had no idea. I thought it would be someone like Sammy Parkes (halfback), Hone Haerewa (captain/lock-cum-loose forward) or Verdon Bartlett (midfield general),” said the 27-year-old openside flanker from Hawke’s Bay in his first Heartland Championship season.

“They are all way better than me. I was just stoked and honoured to play for the Coast and with an awesome group of players.

“It was like one big whanau.”

Richardson — affectionately known as the Coast’s “Honey Badger” after former Wallabies winger and Australia’s The Bachelor reality TV star Nick Cummins — runs a fencing business and employs three workers, which meant he only managed four games for Ruatoria City in the club competition.

“I just didn’t have the time to think about club rugby, never mind playing for the Coast. But I was asked if I was available to play in a pre-season game at Waihi against Thames Valley and did OK.”

Better than OK, actually. He was named man of the match and went on to wear the Sky Blue jersey with pride in all eight Heartland games.

“I was blown away. It was the highest standard of rugby I had ever played and to wear the jersey . . . I was at Whakarua Park in 2012 when Verdon Bartlett scored the try that won the Coast the Meads Cup (Heartland Championship final). I never thought I would get to wear the jersey.”

Wayne Ensor, who co-coaches the Coast alongside Troy Para, said they had a few injuries and were struggling for cover for openside early in the season.

“Jack wasn’t even on our radar, not having played that often for Ruatoria City, but I saw him in one game and was impressed. We brought him in for the Valley game and he never looked back.

“If he wasn’t named man of the match (for every Heartland clash), he was close to it.

“He’s not the biggest No.7 (80 kilograms, 1.75 metres) but he’s got a big heart, he’s courageous and outstanding on defence — tackling and getting over the ball. He was incredibly consistent all season and earned rave reviews from opposition teams.

“We didn’t really want him carrying the ball as often as he did but he wanted to carry and was involved in a lot of our attacks.”

Richardson initially came to the Coast in 2012.

“I got a job as a shepherd on Pakihiroa Station (Ruatoria) after attending Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm in central Hawke’s Bay, where I also played some rugby.

“I loved it (on the Coast) — working with the horse and dogs, and pig hunting.

“I played for City, along with some of my mates, but went back to Hawke’s Bay in 2013, then headed over to Derbyshire in England for three months shearing and fencing before heading into Europe for three months.

“I eventually came back to NZ in 2015 and lived and worked in Opotiki and Whakatane.”

Midway through last year Richardson, partner Mikayla and their three children — Brooklyn (5) Harley (4) and Milly (2) — moved to Tolaga Bay.

“We love it here. Uawa wanted me to play for them but I had made too many friends at City. Mum and Dad are among my biggest supporters and come up from central Hawke’s Bay.”

Para said Richardson had a stellar debut season at Heartland level.

“Jack impressed with his copybook tackling and instinctive nous to win a lot of turnovers.

“He is an intelligent young man who displayed courage week in, week out.

“A testament to his abilities is the fact that he won three player-of--the-day awards during our eight games, one being selected by the opposition and one by the Hurricanes coaches, who watched our game against Poverty Bay.

“Jack was a key figure in our squad, leading by example on and off the field.

“He’s a great team man and we look forward to watching his development.”

Poverty Bay’s prize-giving is on Saturday.