Rugby: Jack Crasborn happy to box on

Hastings Rugby and Sports loose forward Jack Crasborn repairs apple bins at the Crasborn Group's packhouse in Hastings. Photo/Paul Taylor

The fact former Manu Samoa loosie Tivaini Fomai has vacated the Hastings Rugby and Sports openside flanker role for Jack Crasborn is a tribute to the latter's ability.

"We've got some good loosies who all have their own strengths. Jack is more of a fetcher and we've also got Tom Burns who is pretty good in the No.7 jersey and both of them are a lot quicker than me at the moment so I don't mind playing hooker while they battle for the openside job," IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports captain Fomai said.

"Jack has a really good work ethic and for one who isn't that big he's prepared to put his body on the line," Fomai, a former Magpie, said.

A second year Hastings premier player, Crasborn, pointed out the tips he is receiving from Fomai were a key factor in his player-of-the-match performance during last weekend's 39-23 win against Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Elwood Park. This display saw Crasborn become the fifth weekly winner in the tussle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.

In fact, Crasborn's recent form is defying his lack of Hawke's Bay age-group representative experience. The Lindisfarne College product's only taste of rep rugby was as a member of the Hastings West Wakely Shield team at the inaugural under-50kg tournament in 2004.

After leaving school, Crasborn, 22, went to Otago University to study Commerce and Marketing and Sports Exercise. While there he played for the Dunedin Sharks colts team.

"I returned home last year to play some rugby while I think about which of those courses I will finish when I return to uni. I'll complete this season before returning ... like a lot of Hawke's Bay folk who go to Dunedin I got caught up in the social side of things more than the studies," Crasborn said.

Like Fomai, Crasborn, has been impressed with the improvement displayed by the Hastings forwards which has been a key factor in the side's four wins and one loss to date.

"Apart from the hiccup when we lost to Taradale in the first round we've been trucking pretty well. Tivaini's leadership has been just as influential as the input from AB," Crasborn said referring to the Hastings side's forwards coach and former Magpies lock Aaron Bartlett.

Crasborn agreed Saturday's away game against Progressive Meats Havelock North will be a huge test for the visitors.

"Hopefully we can repeat our Anderson Park win from last season when we ended their unbeaten run."

Both Crasborn and Fomai know the villagers will be hurting after their loss to Taradale last weekend and eager to redeem themselves. Crasborn is relaxed about his rugby future. "I just want to keep on playing and see where it takes me."

A Lindisfarne College 1st XV tourist to the United Kingdom in 2009, Crasborn, hasn't ruled out an overseas playing stint in the future.

"I went overseas last year and had a bit of fun but didn't play rugby. Maybe a bit of footy will add to the fun in future."

Crasborn is doing some bin and pallet maintenance at his family's Crasborn Group packhouse in Hastings. He said the physical nature of the job is good for his rugby.

During the summer he keeps fit by being a canoe race competitor for the Ocean Beach Kiwi Surf Lifesaving Club. With this sort of fitness base it's easy to see why Fomai is happy to let Crasborn start in the No.7 jersey on a regular basis.