Rugby family has another star player

Matthew Axtens is living proof you don't have to come from the big smoke to make the New Zealand under-17 rugby training squad.
The Reporoa College Year 12 student and his fellow 1st XV teammate Cedric Carston are the only two players from Bay of Plenty named in the squad.
It's a proud moment for the 17-year-old whose family have strong ties to rugby; father Steve Axtens was a former Steamers lock who played 55 games for the Bay, while brother Carl also has a more-than-useful pedigree.
Carl Axtens made the New Zealand under-17 squad in 2008, alongside another Reporoa local and current Steamer Sam Cane, and last year the pair made the New Zealand Schools team.
Matthew, who plays No 8 or blindside flanker, said he looked up to his older brother and tried to model his game around him.
The barnstorming youngster said he was "stoked" to have been named in the squad.
"It just goes to show you don't have to come from the big smoke to make these teams. If you work and train hard, you can do it."
It's no fluke that two boys from Reporoa College have made the U17 squad. Reporoa College principal Kris Bhatt said the school had a strong rugby programme, which was starting to bear fruit.
Bhatt said there were three contributing factors to the school's 1st XV success.
"Firstly the coach Steve Axtens, then the support of the parents and the community, and thirdly the kids' commitment. They train twice a week and they never miss training."
Matthew said his major goal this year was to make the squad.
"I kept in touch with the selectors and they told me what they expected from me and I went out there and worked hard to achieve what they wanted."
He said it also came on the back of a good 1st XV season.
"I had a pretty good season this year and managed to string together some good games which lifted my confidence."
The squad has its first training camp in Wellington on October 15-17.
No tour is planned for the squad but the goal is to focus on developing skills, Matthew says.