Matenga answers SOS from u20s

Called up: Sam Matenga in action for Gisborne Boys’ High School’s first 15 against Wellington College in 2016. Matenga has been called to France to join the New Zealand under-20s. Picture by Paul Rickard

When you get the call-up, drop everything.

That’s how it was for former Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 player Sam Matenga at 11.15am on Wednesday — he was grocery shopping at Pak’nSave Riccarton when his cellphone rang.

It was Crusaders Academy manager Aaron Webb, with an SOS from New Zealand Rugby: the New Zealand under-20s needed him at the World Cup in France.

“You’ve got nothing to lose — just get over there and get stuck in,” was Webb’s advice to the 19-year-old front-row forward, who flew out on Thursday to join the Baby Blacks.

Matenga’s printable response was: “My goodness!”

With three of the five props taken to France having returned to New Zealand with injuries, the 117-kilogram Matenga — who can cover both loosehead and tighthead prop — has been called into service for the third-fourth playoff against South Africa at the Stade de la Méditerranée in Béziers, on Monday morning (NZ time). The game will be shown live on TVNZ Duke from 2.20am, SKY Digital channel 23.

Matenga played for Gisborne Boys’ High School, the Hurricanes u18s and New Zealand Schools Barbarians in 2016, joining the Crusaders Academy in December that year — he is one of eight year two-of-three players in the 24-man Academy programme. He played for Linwood Club in 2017 and is with the Christchurch Football Club this year.

He attended the second u20s camp at Palmerston North in April this year, played for the Crusaders u19s in the 2017 national tournament and for the Crusader Knights against the Hurricanes and Highlanders development teams.

At 6pm on Thursday, he left Christchurch for Auckland, then travelled on to Béziers by way of Dubai and Barcelona.

“Sam’s a trustworthy young man, reserved, but with a good sense of humour — he’s built a good life here and he’s starting to develop leadership skills,” said Webb, who fielded the initial approach from New Zealand Rugby talent identification manager Matt Sefton, and three minutes later gave Matenga the good news.

“He was a strong scrummager from the outset but in terms of body composition, he’s transformed 113kg of malleable flesh into 117kg of lean, hard muscle. He’s now more involved in the game and his understanding of the tactical side of it has grown hugely.”

Sam’s father, Sam Matenga senior, and the family moved to Sydney in 2006. Sam junior came back to Gisborne in 2016 to pursue his rugby dream in New Zealand.

“He deserves this — he’s a good guy and he’s worked really hard,” former first 15 head coach Tom Cairns said.

“It also shows that players from a small place like Gisborne can earn opportunities. We’re very proud of him.”

Although he didn’t get to France in time for the 16-7 semifinal loss to the host nation, Matenga and the Tom Christie-led side want a strong performance on Monday morning.