Rugby: Former Magpie flies into Wallabies contention

Hot Form: Michael Ruru has been touted as a future Wallaby after signing a new two-year deal with the Western Force. Photo/Gordon Pettigrew, True spirit Photos

Mates of former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby halfback Michael Ruru reckon his father Luke would turn in his grave if he turned out for the Wallabies.

Ruru, 26, has made such an impact in his first season of Super Rugby with the Western Force fans in Aussie's southwest believe he could crack the Wallabies team within two seasons. However the former Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports club player who had two games for the Magpies in 2012 refused to look that far ahead.

"It remind me of my days in the Napier Ross Shield team. People said in my first season with Napier I should have been in the Hawke's Bay team but it was only in my second year that I made it. I'll just worry about the now and if the time comes I'll have discussions with family and those I work closely with in my support network. There's nothing bigger than international selection . . . test rugby is the pinnacle," Ruru said during a break from training sessions in Perth this week.

Mates have teased him about how his father, who died of a heart attack in 2015, would have reacted as he was a staunch supporter of the Pirate, Magpies and All Black teams in that order.

"Dad would have supported me not the Wallabies. Just like he did with Jono when he played for Taradale in his first year out of school," Ruru explained referring to his younger brother and former All Black Sevens player Jonathan Ruru who played for Taradale in 2012 because he knew his older brother had the monopoly on the No 9 jersey at the family's Pirate club.

Luke coached both brothers at various times during their age group careers and when Michael had to lose weight to make the cut for Ross Shield teams he would dress him in rubbish bags and make him run with the aim of sweating the kilos off and follow him on his bike to make sure he did it. Needless to say the international media will relish that story should the older Ruru gain Wallabies selection in the future.

Ruru, who signed a new two-year deal with the Force last week, has made three starts in nine appearances for the Force this season.

"It's been pretty amazing, I really didn't expect to get as much game time as I have this season. My ankle injury was a bit of a setback too as I missed four games.

"I knew it was going to be tough, but I feel I have brought something that fits to the way we play the game. I'm thankful that Dave Wessels [coach] and all the staff have trusted me and put faith in me since pre-season started," Ruru said.

"I'm just trying to repay them for giving me the opportunity."

A regular sniper who thrives in the running game, Ruru, picked up this year's Super contract after three outstanding seasons with Perth Spirit in the National Rugby Championship and leading the Force to last year's World Club 10s title in Mauritius where he was named player of the tournament. Last year's Western Australia player of the year, Ruru had to wait three years before he was eligible for Super Rugby.

"I could have played if somebody signed me as a marquee player. But because I hadn't played at international level nobody was going to sign me as a marquee player," Ruru explained.

He didn't return to Mauritius this year as the Force took a younger side which lost to eventual winners, the Bulls, in the semifinals. The Bulls took what Ruru described as "a full-strength team."

A former Napier Boys' High School player, Ruru first made the Perth Spirit side on the back of some superb displays for the Nedlands club in Perth.

"It's a pretty stacked team and the club has made the top four every season in the last 32 years," Ruru said.

Former Magpie Ryan McLeod and former Hawke's Bay club players David Tavita and Te Rangi Fraser also turn out for Nedlands. Former Pirates Jackson and David Neilson almost ended up at Nedlands this season but Ruru wasn't around to welcome them when they arrived in Perth and they ended up at another club.

Ruru agreed the three-year wait was worth it. He is relishing his job as a fulltime rugby player and the lifestyle it provides for wife Brittney and 4-year-old son Hunter.

Equally as pleasing is the satisfaction he has got from seeing his Pirate club move into top four contention in the Maddison Trophy after a disappointing Nash Cup round where they recorded just one win.

"I keep an eye on the Hawke's Bay club rugby results each week," Ruru added.

It's fair to say he will continue to do so wherever his rugby career takes him . . . yes and even if he becomes a Wallaby.