Yanz takes some stick over Australian cricket team's shenanigans

Out to make an impact: Ngatapa’s Mark Yanz takes on the YMP defence in the opening round of the Poverty Bay premier championship, in Wairoa. Former Ngatapa coach Nigel Henare encouraged Yanz to come from Melbourne, Australia, to Gisborne. Picture by Paul Rickard

RUGBY

NGATAPA’S Aussie import Mark Yanz is not impressed with his national cricket team.

“What they did (in the ball-tampering plan against South Africa) was disgusting,” said the 21-year-old who made his debut for Larsawn Ngatapa in their 26-25 win against YMP in the opening day of rugby’s premier championship at Tapuae Sports Ground.

“They’re a disgrace and have tarnished cricket in Australia.

“The boys at work (Larsawn Sawmilling) have given me bit of stick and I don’t blame them.”

Yanz, a fullback-cum-winger, was recommended to Ngatapa by former East Coast and Ngatapa coach Nigel Henare, who coached Yanz at the Endeavour Hills club in Melbourne.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Nigel; he’s a great coach and a good bloke,” said Yanz, who was born in Lang Lang, a country town 90 minutes’ drive south of Melbourne.

“I wanted to come to New Zealand to play rugby and travel in the off-season. Nigel said I should come here and I’m glad he did.

“I’ve been here just two weeks and I’m loving it.

“One of the big differences with the rugby here is that the players come to training early and enjoy it. Even though they are amateurs, they have a professional attitude.

“Because Australian rules is the big sport in Victoria, it’s hard to get players to play rugby union or even train, but Nigel has done a good job with the players he has. We did the double against teams we had never beaten twice in one season.”

Yanz said one of the big differences here was that “all the teams want to spread the ball wide”.

“I’m hoping to get my hands on the ball more as the season progresses.

“I’d love to play for Poverty Bay but first I’ve got to cement a place in the Ngatapa team and play well for them.”

Yanz played rugby league from the age of eight till he was 11, then switched to union for one season.

After that, he played a season of Australian rules, but the lure of rugby union was too strong and he has been playing the 15-man game ever since.

Yanz said his mother and father had talked about coming over to watch him play.

“They’ve always been very supportive of me, although Mum, who works in a bakery, has not seen me play a lot since I was 14.

“She’s a proud supporter when she does watch. Mum would love to come to New Zealand.

“Dad has never missed any of my games, so he’s keen to come over, somewhere around mid-season.

Yanz and his Ngatapa teammates will be determined to make it two wins from two games when they play High School Old Boys on Saturday.

The reigning Lee Bros Shield champions also opened their season with a win, beating Tapuae 37-19.