Rugby: Tamatea centre grounded despite award-winning opener

Tamatea premier rugby player Jordarn Harmer is studying for an electrical apprenticeship course at Eastern Institute of Technology in Taradale. Photo / Duncan Brown

But he was surprised on two occasions at the weekend. The first was when his team upset Havelock North 15-8 in a Tui Nash Cup first-round fixture at Anderson Park and the second when he was told he had become the first weekly winner in the battle to become the 2017 winner of the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.

Harmer, 21, scored two tries and impressed with his defensive reads in the Waipatu Marae-based club's first win against the villagers since 1982.

Considering Harmer and his midfield partner, Jimi Harris, who carved up huge metres with his counter-kicks, were up against the Paewai twins, Jesse and Kalin, this was a huge achievement.

A first-year electrical course student at EIT, Harmer refused to take too much of the credit for the upset.

"It was the result of good work from all the boys," he said.

A former Hawke's Bay under-14 representative, Harmer could crack the Hawke's Bay Saracens team if he continues to produce displays like Saturday's.

But the second-year premier player, who had three seasons in the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV, refused to look that far ahead.

"I just want to help Tamatea improve on last year's last placings in both the Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy competitions ... club rugby is my priority at the moment," Harmer said.

He agreed there was enough potential within the squad to tick both boxes off.

"Saturday's win was the result of the effort we all put in during the pre-season programme. The numbers are there, the commitment is there and we are all showing up early for trainings. Everyone is doing their job and not trying to do others' jobs," Harmer explained.

Like so many of the young and exciting backs in the Tamatea squad, Harmer has a strong touch background and has spent plenty of time in that code with Tamatea's head coach Matt Marsh.

These skills will come in handy on what should be a reasonably firm Carters Arms Park when they take on another of last weekend's winners, Taradale, on Saturday.

"He ranked last year's win against Central, Tamatea's first win in 61 games, as the highlight of his premier career. Wins against Wellington College and Hamilton Boys' High School were the highlights of his 1st XV seasons.

MAC midfield back Lewis Marshall is the toughest player he has marked in club play. His Tamatea captain, loosie Hamiora Rowlands, who is in his 17th season of premier rugby is his biggest idol on the club scene.

"He has been an inspiration to me for a long time. I also enjoy playing with all my cousins at Tamatea too," Harmer added.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union commercial manager Jay Campbell is rapt McDonalds have jumped on board one of the union's grassroots projects for a second consecutive year.

McDonalds will supply prizes for the weekly award winners as well as the overall winner who will be announced at the end of the competition.

Last year's MVP, Neria Fomai, made the Samoa Sevens team and has scored a contract with the Southland Stags for this season.

Best & fairest:
Tamatea v Havelock North: 3, Jordarn Harmer (Tamatea); 2, Wayne Lush (Havelock North); 1, Jimi Harris (Tamatea).

Hastings v Central: 3, Tom Agnew (Hastings); 2, Jack Richardson (Central); 1, Fale Matamata (Hastings).

NOBM v MAC: 3, Tom Bywater (NOBM); 2, Craig Sharplin (NOBM); 1, AJ Fatialofa (MAC).

Taradale v Tech: 3, Ramiha Smiler (Taradale); 2, Conan Houkamau (Tech); 1, Kaleb Whakataka (Taradale).

Clive v Pirate: 3, Jacob Henry (Clive); 2, Hayden Hann (Pirate); 1, Elijah Tuavera.