Rugby: Move home key for young talent

Elijah Nicholas has fought back from adversity to make the Bay of Plenty Steamers team this season.

How Elijah Nicholas has fought back to claim a starting place in the Steamers after being out in the cold last year is a lesson for every young player.

The prodigiously-talented winger made his ITM Cup debut in 2013 as a fully contracted 18-year-old, but he struggled with the demands placed on him.

On the field he held his own, but off-field things began to unravel for Nicholas.

"The main thing for me was I had things going on off the field that I had to sort out. I was getting mentored well in terms of rugby, but a few choices I was making were holding me back from reaching my potential, I guess," Nicholas said.

"I have sorted those things out now and this year have given it a good nudge.

"A lot of young players experiencing a bit of the limelight from the media can get a bit big-headed. Players are getting contracts straight out of school with all this money and wondering what to do with it. It has been a really good learning curve for me.

"A quote that stuck out for me was 'if you don't sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice'.

"It has become something in my everyday life and that is pretty much my main message to other young players."

Moving from Te Puke back to his whanau in Whakatane this year has been a key part in his change of attitude and change of fortune.

He played consistently well for Whakatane Marist and recently for the Bay of Plenty Development team, before he got the news he was hoping for from Steamers coaches Clayton McMillan and Rodney Gibbs.

"I needed a change to get away from the scene I was in," Nicholas said. "We had a good side [Marist] and it all sort of worked out for me. I started in the development team and Clayton and Gibby said if all went well they would give me a shot. I did all I had to do and they gave me the opportunity. I am just trying to make the most of it."

Nicholas started against Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay and Northland for the Steamers, and was likely to play against Wellington at ASB Baypark on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawke's Bay game was a Ranfurly Shield challenge played in a unique atmosphere for Nicholas.

"That was a nervous one for me, especially with Izzy Dagg in their backline. I have never played in a game so noisy. You could really feel the atmosphere and the presence of the crowd. I was getting shivers down my spine every time the crowd roared, but it was awesome. I loved it."