Rugby: Seasoned campaigner not about to slow down

Prior to the death of his close friend Jack Haraki in 2011 Campbell Johnston made a promise to him.

"I promised Jack I would come back to Tamatea and finish my rugby career with the club I had 12 seasons with before moving to the Havelock North club in 2007," Johnston recalled.

Johnston, 39, hasn't regretted the move. The oldest player in the Hawke's Bay Seafoods Tamatea premier side is one of the fittest, the top tryscorer with five to date and he picked up another player-of-the-day prize in the team's first win of the season - a 20-15 Nash Cup seventh round victory against Central at Waipukurau on Saturday.

This feat saw openside flanker Johnston become this season's seventh winner in the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Player of the Year award.

"I love Tamatea and the family environment at the club. It's awesome," Johnston said.

"I was over the moon with the win against Central. Obviously Nui's birthday [Tamatea co-coach Nui Bartlett] and the return of a couple of the boys from injury helped. Hopefully it might prove the turning point in our season," Johnston said.

A builder, Johnston, runs All Trades Residential. The physical side of the job compliments his rugby training.

"Sometimes I'm a little sore on Mondays from rugby but I just work that soreness out on the job. I live for rugby and love the game ... I intend to keep going for another couple of seasons at premier level yet," Johnston explained.

"Providing I keep eating the right food and stick to my regular runs up Te Mata Peak in the off season I should be able to. Hopefully I can keep inspiring the boys," Johnston said.

"Having been around for a while now I've learnt how to run the direct lines to the breakdown. Rather than run 50 kilometres, I run 20 kilometres," Johnston quipped.

A father of two, 13-year-old Blake who plays for Havelock North High School and 11-year-old Ally Rose who plays for Havelock North Intermediate, Johnston surfs in the summer and also plays touch for All In. These pursuits help with his fitness also.

Johnston is anticipating another close battle when Tamatea meet neighbours IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports on Saturday.

"Hopefully we can get another win. That would be good not only for the team and the club but also for our sponsors," Johnston said, getting a plug in for Hawke's Bay Seafoods and Orphans Gym.

A manager of the 2007 Hawke's Bay Under-20s side, Johnston intends to get into coaching when he finishes playing. But as he said ... he has another couple of seasons playing left in him yet.

There's a strong chance his name will appear in the Best & Fairest column on this page again in the near future. There's no doubt Jack Haraki will be keeping a close eye on Johnston from above and be giving him the thumbs up.

Best & Fairest

Tamatea v Central:

3, Campbell Johnston (Tamatea); 2, Daniel McIntyre (Central); 1, Hamiora Rowlands (Tamatea).

Pirate v Hastings Rugby and Sports:

3, Nick McLennan (Pirate); 2, Ausage Fomai (Hastings); 1, Michael Allardice (Pirate).

Havelock North v MAC:

3, Richard Tichborn (Havelock); 2, Ihaka Waerea (MAC); 1, Adam Bradey (Havelock).

NOBM v Taradale:

3, Mark Abbott (NOBM); 2, Mike King (NOBM); 1, Liam Rukuwai (NOBM).

Napier Technical v Clive:

3, Josh Te Whata-Colley (Tech); 2, Tane McGuire (Tech); 1, Trent Boswell-Wakefield (Tech).

LEADERBOARD

10 points: Mark Braidwood (Tech).

9 points:Mark Atkins (Clive).

8 points: Hugh Reed (Tech).

7 points: Mark Abbott (NOBM), Adam Bradey (Havelock).

6 points: Michael Allardice (Pirate), Hamiora Rowlands (Tamatea), Ausage Fomai (Hastings), Semiperive Semeane (NOBM), Kelly Petrowski (Havelock).