Thomas Waldrom has heard talk related to the likely Hawke's Bay Magpies 2009 rugby side's loose forward trio.
Crusader Waldrom arrived in the Bay this week, at No 8, with Highlander George Naoupu at blindside and Hurricane and Junior All Black Karl Lowe on the openside. Former Hurricane Michael Johnson will provide cover from the subs bench.
``It's definitely got lots of potential ... we've all been Super 14 players,'' said Waldrom. But, at the same time, Waldrom, 26, warned it would take a few games to get the combination working well.
``We've got to do our core jobs first but I know all four of us will do our best for the team. You never like to give up your spot but, at the same time, I know there are younger guys eager to come through,'' said Waldrom, referring to age group world champions Hugh Reed and Trent Boswell-Wakefield.
The former Wellington Air New Zealand Cup player and former Hurricane is well-placed to comment on Hawke's Bay's age group systems. Waldrom was a member of the Wellington under-16 side which lost three consecutive games to their Hawke's Bay counterparts.
Hawke's Bay's age group system was one of several factors which attracted his signature to a two-year deal with the Kelt Capital Magpies. What the Magpies achieved last year and the opportunity to work under highly-rated forwards coach Tom Coventry were others.
``I still remember the ticker the Magpies boys displayed when they beat our 2007 Wellington side at McLean Park too,'' he recalled.
Waldrom will play his first club game in three weeks (he had one for Sydenham in Christchurch after the Super 14) when he turns out for Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports against Contrax Technical Services Clive at Farndon Park today. His clash with Naoupu is expected to attract a big crowd. It will be his only club game of the season as Magpies training squad members will begin preparing for pre-season games next week.
``I'll still be helping out at the club when I can ... particularly if the Magpies have a Friday night game I'll be down at the club on a Saturday,'' said the 2008 New Zealand Maori representative.
Like SportToday, many pundits were surprised Waldrom didn't make the Junior All Blacks side this season after his outstanding Super 14 in which he missed just 40 minutes of action.
``The selectors felt other guys had the x factor. There's plenty of time for me ... hopefully I can make it next year after a season working hard with Tom,'' said Waldrom. While his brother and 2008 All Black flanker, Scott, won't return from injury when the Magpies meet Taranaki in a pre-season game on July 17, he's expecting a brotherly clash in the Air New Zealand Cup game between the two unions in New Plymouth on August 15.
``Texts will be flying between us that week. Mum and Dad will come up from Wellington ... Mum will sit on the fence but Dad will put a first try bet on one of us,'' laughed Waldrom.
He rates Wellington's winning of the Ranfurly Shield last year and playing in this season's Super 14 semifinal against the Bulls as the highlights of his career to date. The fact that Crusaders coach and former All Black, Todd Blackadder, is a former loosie was a big plus for him.
``I'm going back to the Crusaders again next year too ... the two-year deal with them kept me in New Zealand,'' said Waldrom.
While his arrival in the Bay signals the start of another chapter in his rugby career, he won't be short of new off-field duties. His wife Emma had their first child, Troy, three weeks ago.
RUGBY: Waldrom ready to rumble for Magpies
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