Rugby: Surf life aids recovery

Havelock North lock Bronson Primmer on the job for Interior Plastering, Hawke's Bay. Photo / Warren Buckland

At 93kg Havelock North's Bronson Primmer must rank as one of the lighter locks in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition.

"It's not about the size of the dog in the fight ... it's all about the size of the fight in the dog," Primmer said, recalling one of sport's most over used, but in his case appropriate, quotes.

Primmer, 32, displayed plenty of courage in a player-of-the-match performance as Progressive Meats Havelock North beat Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports 27-10 in an eighth round Tui Maddison Trophy fixture at Havelock North on Saturday.

This saw him become the 17th and final weekly winner in the battle for the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year Award.

What added to the significance of this feat is the fact Primmer, who is in his fifth season with the villagers, only plays rugby to keep fit for surfing.

"Usually by the end of the rugby season I'm 90kg ... rugby keeps me light for surfing too."

His improved form during the past two seasons has belied his lack of experience in the code. Upon leaving Hastings Boys' High School, where Primmer played in the lower grades as a flanker, he had one season for the Hastings Rugby and Sports colts team before moving to the Gold Coast for work and surfing.

"I didn't play any rugby over there but when I returned Luke Ottley talked me in to taking it up again. I didn't know much about play at premier level but I'm lucky at Havelock we've got legendary players like Tony Lamborn and Brendon Edmonds who look after me and pass on plenty of knowledge.

"Earlier on I used to be rip, sh** and bust but I've learnt a lot about positional play and the mental side of the game in recent seasons. Sometimes it's more about thinking."

A father of three, and a fourth is due in January, Primmer, is rapt his wife Janelle is so supportive of his sporting pursuits.

"She is amazing. Mum and dad [Raewyn and Mark] are awesome too. Dad used to be involved with the running of the club but he stepped back to look after our oldest on the sideline while I'm playing."

"I'm all about family but one of the reasons I joined the club is because I wanted to play a team sport. Surfing is individualistic but with rugby you are in it for the team," Primmer explained.

He will let his wife decide whether he has another season.

"If she says no a third Maddison Trophy winner's medal will be the ideal send off.

Obviously that's a long way off and we know things must be taken game by game and we know we have to beat Clive on Saturday to secure a semifinal."

Primmer works for his Interior Plastering, Hawke's Bay business in the winter and in the summer runs Hawke's Bay Learn to Surf.

"Surfing on a Monday is the ideal form of rehab after rugby on a Saturday. I feel a lot fresher and I'm not as stiff as I would be if I just sat around after a game."

Naturally Primmer will be hoping to relish the benefits of a Monday surf after a rugby weekend for the next three weeks.