Tyrone Dodd-Edwards will be making his National Sevens debut for Hawke's Bay in Rotorua this weekend. Photo/Warren Buckland
New Hawke's Bay sevens player Tyrone Dodd-Edwards has got Tohu Harris written all over him.
Yes Harris, the Hawke's Bay-raised Kiwis rugby league star who has linked up with the Warriors this season after eight years with the Melbourne Storm, including Premiership glory last year. Dodd-Edwards, 18, has a similar physique and similar skill sets to Harris and has the ability to play in the forwards or backs in either code.
A former Papatoetoe Panthers rugby league centre or secondrower, Dodd-Edwards shifted to the Bay when he was in year 8 and played for Napier Technical at 12th grade level before starting his secondary education at Napier Boys' High School. His biggest claim to fame to date has been a successful switch from lock to the midfield at 1st XV level.
"I had six games at lock in 2016 before changing to the centres last year. They were struggling to find a centre as no one had the skills or athleticism to bring to the team and they thought I would fit in there. It was tough at first but I started to get used to it," Dodd-Edwards recalled before travelling to Rotorua yesterday to prepare for this weekend's Bayleys National Sevens.
The 2015 New Zealand under-17 volleyball rep played a key role for the NBHS team which finished third at the national secondary schools sevens tournament last month and this saw him selected in the Hawke's Bay Sevens training squad.
"We finished third after losing to eventual winners Hamilton Boys' High School in the semifinals. I think we shocked a lot people thanks to the coaching of Andy Lord and Sam Green," Dodd-Edwards said.
"I would like to see where sevens could take me. It's a good fast game which I like. I've got a good offload, I'm good at scrummaging, pretty powerful and I've got speed and some nice footwork thanks to Mark Ozich [HB Sevens assistant coach] helping me out heaps. I've learnt a lot," Dodd-Edwards said.
"This is a big weekend and while I'm pretty nervous it should be good. With all the television coverage it's a massive opportunity."
Dodd-Edwards said the Bay team members had become close as they got used to each other.
"We've got that bond and I think we can play some special footy."
While the fan of long-serving All Blacks Sevens player Tim Mikkelson listed playing for the Magpies as his long-term goal, his main goal this year is to make the Hawke's Bay under-19 side for their national tournament in Taupo. On the club scene the 2016 NBHS Super 8-winning basketball team member hopes to play in the midfield for Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports alongside long-time friend and Hawke's Bay Sevens teammate Al Momoisea.
Dodd-Edwards is hoping to become a qualified scaffolder as that type of work will assist his fitness for rugby. However, if he keeps ticking off his sporting goals he is likely to become a professional rugby player before he becomes a qualified scaffolder.
Hawke's Bay Sevens coach Ellery Wilson is excited about Dodd-Edwards' potential at this level.
"Tyrone is a former lock who has been playing in the centres. He brings a bit of physicality along with speed and skill."
Wilson is happy with his troops' draw which will see them play North Harbour (12.25pm), Manawatu (3.15pm) and Otago (5.15pm) in pool play today. Manawatu pipped Hawke's Bay 20-17 courtesy of an extra-time dropped goal at the Mount Maunganui provincial tournament last weekend. "North Harbour and Otago finished similar to us at their respectively regional tournaments so it should be an even pool with any team capable of beating the other," Wilson said.
He was hoping to have the services of Samoa World Series player Neria Fomai. However, he wasn't released by the Samoan coaching staff who see Fomai as a key player for their January 26-28 round of the World Series in Sydney following an injury to another pivotal member of their squad.
Fomai's brother Ausage Fomai, who missed the Mount Maunganui trip last weekend, returns to the team. Three players who travelled last weekend, Tamatea speedster and New Zealand open men's touch rep Ash Robinson-Bartlett, former Hastings Boys' High School pivot and two-season New Zealand Secondary Schools 15s player Lincoln McClutchie and Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports forward Jesse King, missed the cut for nationals.
"We've opted for a bigger squad and a bit more physicality," Wilson added.
Nine of Wilson's squad will be playing for Hawke's Bay at nationals level for the first time. Among them are Napier Old Boys Marist captain Chris Johnston who has represented Bay of Plenty and Waikato previously.
Sixteen men's teams and 12 women's will be in action at the nationals.
The Hawke's Bay men's team is:
Teihana Brown (captain), Chris Johnston, Timo Vaiusu, Johnny Lauano, Ausage Fomai, Danny Toala, Sonny Lilo, Damien Scott, Ricky Hayes, Tyrone Dodd-Edwards, Mitch Drew, Al Momoisea.