Jordan Tuakana-Hudson: A dual international at just 17

Rotorua's Jordan Tuakana-Hudson, 17, lines up a shot at goal for the Cook Islands Sevens team. Photo / Supplied

There are not many athletes in the world who have represented two different countries in two different sports, but Rotorua's Jordan Tuakana-Hudson is one of them and he is only 17 years old.

The Rotorua Boys High School student has played in New Zealand Touch age-group representative teams since he was 15. Last month he played sevens for the Cook Islands at the Oceania Rugby Under-18 Sevens Championship in Sydney, in which they finished fifth and qualified for the Youth Olympics in Argentina in October.

His grandparents, on his mother's side, were from the Cook Islands. Although his grandfather has died, there is little doubt the man who often claimed he invented sevens on the islands would be immensely proud of his grandson's achievements.

Jordan said representing Cook Islands was a "different" experience, compared with playing for New Zealand.

"It's more like family and the culture is big for them."

He said if he had to choose one out of sevens and touch, he would probably choose sevens.

"There's a lot more space in sevens and it is just like playing touch. In both of them you're trying not to get touched and trying to beat your man."

While in Sydney, it was announced that Jordan had made the New Zealand Under-18 touch side, who will play at the Touch Youth World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in August. He said he was looking forward to it.

"[I'm most looking forward to] just playing - just playing as much sport as I can."

During winter he plays rugby union for the Rotorua Boys High School third XV and rugby league for the Pikiao under-17s.

"The hardest thing is probably just remembering the moves for each team."

Jordan is one of six children, so he has never been short of someone to throw a ball around with.

Growing up, living next door to his grandparents, Jordan would practise goal kicking over the fence between the two properties. That practice paid off because he did all the goal kicking for the Cook Islands.

"I still practise a lot. I just love going outside and playing.

"[In the long term] I'll probably just try to keep playing sevens, I'm enjoying that more and there are good opportunities now.

"I need to try and play my best at all these tournaments, you never know when there are selectors watching."

He said an athlete he looked up to was Australian touch player Dylan Hennessey.

"He's the best in the world, he's just so relaxed out on the field and he's amazing. He's the best in the world.

"In rugby my favourite was Dan Carter, his kicking."

Jordan said the highlight of his sporting career so far was making his first New Zealand team when he was 15.