Sevens: Fraser hungry for nationals

Te Rangi Fraser, right, playing for Whaka last year. Photo / Andrew Warner

After breaking his jaw in the ITM Cup last year, Te Rangi Fraser will mark his return for the Bay of Plenty at the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua.

Fraser has been named in the 12-man Bay sevens squad to compete at the tournament being held tomorrow and Sunday at the Rotorua International Stadium.

It is his first time competing at the nationals and one of his first seasons playing sevens.

Originally from Gisborne, Fraser moved to Rotorua last year, joining Rotorua club side Whakarewarewa.

He starred for the club at first five-eighths and helped Whaka reach the Baywide grand final, before being selected for the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Unfortunately, during his first start for the Steamers, the 24-year-old broke his jaw and missed the rest of the ITM Cup season.

But the cricketer turned rugby union player is now back in action and will line up for the Bay sevens team at the nationals this weekend.

He said he had recovered from his jaw injury and was looking forward to the action at the Rotorua International Stadium.

"I am in the forwards playing at prop, so that is a bit different playing against the big boys," he said. "I have not played much sevens before ... just one time for East Coast. It's awesome, it is good for my game running up and down the park."

Fraser said he did not play first XV rugby at high school and was more of a cricketer. But he had a growth spurt after school and has since switched his focus to rugby.

Fraser, who stands over six feet (183cm) tall, will join Matt Clutterbuck, Matt Axtens, Adam McGarvey and Ralulu Bavou in the forwards for the Bay team this weekend.

Bay men's coach Peter Woods said he had named a quick team for the nationals.

"We haven't got a big team in the forwards but we've got speed and fitness and players capable of not taking the ball into contact too much," he said.

Woods added the side planned to treat day one as day two, with the opening match against Canterbury tomorrow representing a quarter-final, before subsequent clashes with Counties Manukau and South Canterbury.

The match against South Canterbury is the final game on the opening day, meaning the hosts will know the for and against equation to finish in the top two of their pool, should they split their opening two matches.

Fraser is unsure if he will be back playing for Whakarewarewa this coming club season, and is currently living in Maketu with his partner. His goal this year is to continue to perform well at club level and make the Steamers.

Bay of Plentymen's team:
Forwards: Matt Clutterbuck, Matt Axtens, Adam McGarvey, Te Rangi Fraser, Ralulu Bavou. Backs: Te Aihe Toma, Akiro Mako, Trinity Neera-Spooner, Courtney Mita, Brynn Uriarau, Josh Honey, Mason Walker

BoP men's fixtures tomorrow:
v Canterbury (12.25pm), v Counties Manukau (4pm), v South Canterbury (6.40pm)

*Men's pools:
Pool A: Taranaki, Tasman, Northland, Horowhenua Kapiti
Pool B: Counties Manukau, Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury
Pool C: Manawatu, Auckland, Otago, Mid Canterbury
Pool D: Waikato, Wellington, Wairarapa Bush, North Harbou