Reigns in Spain

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE: Gisborne’s Jamison Gibson-Park, with partner Patti Grogan and their three-year-old daughter Isabella after Leinster’s tense 12-9 defeat of Racing 92 in the final of the European Rugby Champions Cup in Spain. Halfback Gibson-Park came on for the last 20 minutes of a clash decided by former Blues player Isa Nacewa’s 78th-minute penalty. Gibson-Park, the son of Gisborne couple Billy and Tara Gibson-Park, is halfway through a three-year contract with the Dublin-based club. Should the former New Zealand Maori representative remain in Ireland, he would become eligible for the national side in 18 months. His career focus, however, is very much on Leinster, who have another huge game this weekend when they take on arch-rivals Munster in the semifinals of the Pro14 competition — a 14-team league featuring clubs from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. Glasgow Warriors face Welsh club Scarlets in the other semi. Picture supplied

Gisborne's Jamison Gibson-Park became only the fourth Kiwi to win Super Rugby and European Rugby Champions Cup titles when his Irish side Leinster beat France’s Racing 92 12-9 in Spain last weekend.

Gibson-Park, who joined Doug Howlett, Ali Williams and Brad Thorn in completing the Super/European double — came on at halfback for the last 20 minutes with the teams locked at 9-all.

The Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 old boy watched as retiring captain and left-winger Isa Nacewa, who had taken over the goalkicking from first five-eighth Johnny Sexton, landed a 78th-minute penalty to win a tense match.

“It was great feeling to win after losing in the semifinals last year and in the Pro14 semis,” said former Blues and Hurricanes player Gibson-Park, who is halfway through a three-year contract with the Irish powerhouse province.

“They were both tough losses. It was good to right the wrongs. I was nervous going on but also excited, as I was well prepared and knew what I had to do. But we were all relieved and happy when the final whistle blew.”

Also nervous but happy that her partner was part of a historic occasion — Leinster’s fourth European cup title, equalling Toulouse’s four — was former New Zealand judo champion Patti Grogan, who was at the game, along with their three-year-old daughter Isabella.

“A lot of players’ families went over to Bilbao from Dublin (where they are based), so it was great,” said Grogan. “I was really glad I went over with Isabella.

“It was a very long day, getting up at 4am, flying at 7.30am then watching the game and flying back that night . . . we didn’t arrive back till 12.30am on the Monday.

“Isabella was a trooper. She couldn’t believe it when we were getting on the plane again that night, saying to me ‘are we are going on the plane again Mummy?’.

“There was also a great homecoming on the Sunday and we all went down there with the supporters for a great afternoon.

“Isabella is loving it here. She has an Irish accent coming along. I was talking to Mum and she said Isabella’s accent is getting stronger.”

Patti’s parents, Debbie and Dave, watched the final in Gisborne.

“We were pleased that Jem (Gibson-Park) got on and they won, but it was nerve-racking watching,” said Debbie, who, along with Dave, their son Willy and his partner Laura, are going to Ireland next month.

“Jem, Patti and Isabella won’t be coming home anytime soon so we thought we would visit them. We can’t wait to go.”

Gibson-Park says he had “not given much thought” to pulling on the green jersey of Ireland at this stage of his career.

“My main focus was on helping Leinster have a good season after losing those semifinals last year,” said the 26-year-old.

“Leinster is an awesome club, the best I have been involved with in terms of the quality of the facilities and the organisation as a whole.

“I’ve still got 18 months to go until I become eligible to represent Ireland so I’ve not given it much thought.”

The former Maori All Black, who played for the Blues from 2013 to 2015 and was a member of the 2016 Super Rugby champion Hurricanes side, said one of the highlights of the season was beating Munster on Boxing Day at Thomond Park.

“There’s a big rivalry between the teams and that game always draws big crowds, which creates an awesome atmosphere.

Other highlights included playing alongside some of the world’s best week to week including Ireland and British and Irish Lions internationals Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Tadhg Furlong, Jack McGrath and Sean O’Brien.

“Former Blues forward Hayden Triggs and his wife Mikkala helped us massively when we first came over,” Gibson-Park said.

“Hayden has now retired and returned home to the Manawatu. But the club in general is very welcoming and made it pretty seamless coming to a new country and new environment far away from family.”