Rugby: Whirlwind year for young Rotorua rugby star

Rotorua's Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (with ball) in action for the New Zealand Under-20s earlier this year. Getty Images

It has been a full-on year for young Rotorua rugby star Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

In just the last four months, the 20-year-old has debuted for Taranaki in the ITM Cup, has won a World Rugby Under-20 Championship with New Zealand, has signed a deal with the Hurricanes for next year, and has also played for the New Zealand Barbarians at Eden Park.

Despite his rapid rise in recent months the young halfback has been trying his best to keep his feet on the ground.

"I have to give full credit to everyone [who] has helped me and be very humble about what I have achieved. I emphasise that a lot.

"I think having a child at a young age I was facing [a few challenges] and you have to have a good support crew around you. So I give a lot of credit to my family and those who have helped me."

After growing up in Rotorua and attending Rotorua Boys' High School, Tahuriorangi left for Taranaki with his young family to chase a spot in the Taranaki ITM Cup team.

He was also joined by good mate, and another special talent from Boys' High, Latu Vaeno, who is also playing for Taranaki this season.

Tahuriorangi played premier club rugby last season in Taranaki and got his break this year when he was selected for the New Zealand Under-20 team heading to Italy for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in June. "I guess like most kids growing up in New Zealand you dream of pulling on the black jersey," he said. "So it was a special moment for me and my family."

Tahuriorangi had a great tournament at halfback and helped New Zealand win the world title, even leading the haka before the final against England. His performances did not go unnoticed and, shortly after playing for the New Zealand Barbarians at Eden Park in July, he was signed by the Hurricanes on a two-year deal starting next year.

A month later, he started at halfback in Taranaki's ITM Cup opener against Wellington and has since kept his spot in the starting side for the reigning ITM Cup champions. In a homecoming of sorts, he will most likely feature in Taranaki's next match this Saturday against the Steamers at the Rotorua International Stadium.

"I'm really excited," he said. "Hopefully I get the opportunity to play the Bay. It will definitely be a proud moment to play in front of my family."

He said he was enjoying his first season in the ITM Cup and said the most challenging thing was the physicality.

"There is no massive step up, just the physicality is a lot different. And that is where I'm trying to make sure that I am conditioned."

Tahuriorangi said he was looking forward to joining the Hurricanes next year, but said his main focus was having a good season in the ITM Cup.

"My main goal is to have a good ITM Cup season," he said. "[Next year] I will just be taking everything in and be looking to learn from guys like TJ Perenara, as the number two halfback at the Hurricanes."

He said it was an awesome opportunity to get to play alongside and learn from All Blacks like Perenara next year, who is the starting halfback for the Hurricanes.

"Watching TJ Perenara, he is only young, but has a mature head on him and that is something I really like about him.

"And I like how he is always in the front line. He is a big guy and likes to defend and I'm the same."

Tahuriorangi lives with his partner, Keely, and their little boy, Thomas, in Taranaki.

A proud Boys' High old boy, Tahuriorangi said he knew the local school had the talent to go all the way this year, winning the national 1st XV title last weekend.