Rugby: MVP takes stock of his footy career

Napier Old Boys Marist rugby player Chris Johnston on the job as a stock agent for Ross Dyer. Photo / Warren Buckland.

All Black Sam Cane must take some of the credit for Napier Old Boys Marist player Chris Johnston appearing on this page today.

Regular centre Johnston became the 16th weekly winner in the battle for the Tui-Hawkes' Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award courtesy of a player-of-the-match performance at openside flanker as Hawkes' Bay Insurances Ltd Napier Old Boys Marist beat MAC 36-21 in a seventh round Maddison Trophy clash at Flaxmere Park on Saturday.

Johnston, 23, played in the No7 jersey until his final year at Tauranga Boys' College in 2009, when fellow openside and future All Black Cane arrived at the school. Realising he wouldn't get much more time on the side of the scrum Johnston opted for the second five-eighth role and Saturday's match was his first at flanker since those days which added to the significance of his display.

"I'm pretty keen to give it another go this weekend if that's where the coaches want me to play," Johnston said referring to this Saturday's game against Carters Frame and Truss Taradale at Park Island, a match NOBM must win with a bonus point try to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

He is likely to get his wish as regular openside Kaleb Whakataka is again unavailable with a shoulder injury and fellow loosie Joseph Penitito is also unavailable because of his Magpies commitments.

"I'm pretty confident we can do what's required on Saturday ... it's finals footy, you have to be confident."

A former Waikato Development team player, Johnston is in his first season with NOBM after playing for Napier Technical last year.

"NOBM is similar to the Fraser Tech club I used to play for in Hamilton. It is a good club with a good environment."

When he first arrived in the Bay last year Johnston was keen to secure a berth in the Magpies squad but this is no longer a priority.

"I'm just keen to be playing good footy for NOBM. I'm pretty busy with work and when I'm not playing or training for rugby I'm into crossfit."

Three weeks ago he competed in his first crossfit competition in Hamilton and won his one-year-plus division.

"Crossfit certainly helps my footy. I notice the benefits during the last few minutes of a game," he said.

"Doing crossfit will help keep me playing footy for several more years. I just don't know which position to focus on now."

A stock agent for Ross Dyer in Bay View, he said rugby often features in his conversations with farmers around the Bay.

"It's pretty hard to find a farmer who isn't into rugby," he added before his next farm visit beckoned.