Rugby: Eager for ITM experience

Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports halfback Jonathan Ruru on the job as a fitness trainer at the Pettigrew-Green Arena Gym. Photo / Warren Buckland

The smart money is on Jonathan Ruru to make a Shannan Chase-type leap into ITM Cup glory with the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team this season.

Havelock North winger Chase made headlines last year when he was plucked from the boning room at Takapau's Silver Fern Farms to cover for some injuries in the Magpies backline. He had a dream debut in the Ranfurly Shield defence against Otago with a try and went on to score another four in his next seven appearances.

Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports halfback Ruru, 22, is the third string halfback behind Chris Eaton and Ellery Wilson in the Magpies wider training squad. He has made no secret of the fact he wants to experience ITM Cup play this season, and he enhanced his chances with a player-of-the-match display in his team's 35-12 win against MAC, to become the 17th weekly winner in the battle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.

"I know there are things I can get away with at club level that I might not be able to in the ITM Cup. I want to experience and gauge it for myself," Ruru said.

The younger brother of former Magpies halfback Michael Ruru also knows he must work on consistency with his passing both ways, if he is going to experience similar success to Chase. However, the former Hawke's Bay under-20s rep and Napier Boys' High School 1st XV player has a more immediate priority - helping his club team secure a Maddison Trophy final berth.

"Our team is going good. We've finally got some consistency in our game with only one loss in the Maddison comp to date and we should be able to score a home semifinal."

With two papers left to complete on his EIT Bachelor of Sport and Recreation course, as well as part-time work as a fitness trainer at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena Gym and the Kelly Sports franchise in Napier, Ruru has the ideal balance between rugby and life away from the field.

"I'm not sure on what I want to do career wise yet. I'll see where rugby takes me first," Ruru said.

His brother tasted Maddison Trophy glory with the Pirate club in 2011 and there is extra incentive for the younger Ruru to join him.

"Michael's medal went down with Dad so it would be good to get another one for the house," Ruru said referring to his late father and Pirate club stalwart Luke Ruru, who died of a heart attack earlier this month.

"Dad was a big influence on mine and Michael's rugby careers. I want to do him proud ... not only on the rugby field but in everyday life things as well."