Rugby: Pivot sparks up for Pirate

In-form Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports first five-eighth David Neilson on the job as a fire technician for Chubb New Zealand Ltd. Photo / Warren Buckland

Could it be the fact his younger brother has the jump on him in the quest for a berth in the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team?

Or could it be the fact David Neilson's partner, Otane netballer Claire McGettigan, has more Hawke's Bay premier club titles than him?

"Yes a bit of both ... it's all contributing," Neilson said when quizzed on the motivational fuel for his hot form in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition.

The Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports first five-eighth produced his third player-of-the-match performance of the season at the weekend to become the 14th weekly winner as the battle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continued. Neilson's brother, Pirate second five-eighth Jackson Neilson, was in the Magpies' wider training group earlier this season and Neilson has yet to get that close.

"I was asked a couple of seasons back but I was living in Wairoa then and that prevented me from getting to all the trainings. But it's good that Jackson has been able to bring back some wider training group tips to our club environment."

Neilson, 24, is in his fifth season with the Pirate club. He was a member of the club's 2011 Maddison Trophy-winning team.

That's the only winner's medal he has while his partner has played in five of Otane's premier netball competition final wins. Neilson said there is a similar culture to this year's Pirate's team as there was in 2011.

"There's a good feeling similar to back then. Everything is starting to come together and it's all positive. While our forward pack is a bit smaller than we had then the boys punch above their weight and do it for the team," Neilson said.

And his own form?

"It's long overdue. I'm playing good footy and just have to keep it going. There is a chance we can get a home semifinal but we prefer to focus on one game at a time."

A former Hawke's Bay under-20, 18 and 16 rep, Neilson had two years in each of these age groups as well as three in the Napier Boys' High School 1st XV. His game is similar to another Wairoa Ross Shield product in former Magpies first five-eighth Aayden Clarke.

"I've got similar physical attributes to Aayden and I've been in his shadow and learned off him. Hopefully in the future I can make the Magpies like he did."

A father of one, Neilson, said family life and his work as a fire technician for Chubb New Zealand Ltd provides the ideal balance with his rugby pursuits. Naturally, he's hoping his team's unbeaten run in the Maddison comp continues on Saturday.

"We know that will be another tough game. They're all hard from now on and that's the sort of preparation we need for the business end of the season," he added.