Richard Judd on duty for Thames Valley. Photo / Chris Kilford
Richard Judd has loved the shift from apprentice builder to fulltime footy player.
The 23-year-old Counties Manukau halfback was a loan player to his native Thames Valley in the 2014 Heartland Championship. With 23 games for the Swamp Foxes under his belt, he shifted from Waikato's Te Awamutu club to Onewhero, 'the club up on the hill', deep in the Steelers hinterland.
His boss had teed it up through the club, but there were no guarantees about ITM Cup selection, especially as there were former All Black August Pulu, Manu Samoa fringe No 9 Pele Cowley and the seasoned Kane Hancy all vying for that position.
But Judd did the hard yards for Onewhero, impressing enough to be called into the Cavaliers programme, and has since done everything asked of him to start most of the Steelers matches in the Premiership.
"I've been quite fortunate," said Judd. "Pele is a good player and he was with the Samoan team. I was just there as back-up for Augie (Pulu) but I've played some good minutes."
He certainly has, sniping effectively around the fringes, his delivery is good, and he tackles tenaciously like any good No 9. Now that Pulu has been ruled out for the season as his broken arm takes longer than expected to heal, Judd can aim to hold the starting jersey for the last three games of the season.
"It's a really good culture here. I get on well with all the boys, which makes it easier. I'm enjoying fulltime footy and doing what I love," he said. "I just want to thank the coaches for giving me this opportunity."
His boss has given him plenty of time off during ITM Cup, but he'll be picking the hammer back up once the season is done. In the meantime, he is chipping away, literally, at a coffee table he is making.
Judd has struck up a useful halves partnership with Piers Francis that has been good for the inconsistent Steelers in 2015. It may not quite be in the mould of the reliable 2012-13 Baden Kerr-August Pulu combination, but it is mutually beneficial.
The Steelers have set their sights on winning their remaining three matches. It most probably won't be enough to make the semifinals, but their 42-17 win over Northland last Saturday was a step in the right direction.
"We had to take a long, hard look at ourselves, and I think the boys got up for that game. We needed that win and the five points. In that wet weather, the boys' skills were pretty accurate," said Judd.
The Tasman Makos come to Pukekohe on Saturday, smarting after Auckland inflicted their first defeat of the season.
"It'll be tough against them, especially as they are coming off a loss. After how we played against Northland in the wet, though, we can definitely pull it off," Judd said.
He may mark a man 10 years his senior, former All Black Jimmy Cowan, who, along with Steelers coach Tana Umaga, are the only men to play 50 tests, 100 Super games for one franchise and 100 games for one province.
"I always like to play against guys I have looked up to. To come up against these guys is awesome. I've watched him from a young age, so I've learned a bit off him."
Including the feistiness?
"As a nine, you have to be quite demanding and chatty. You need a bit of fire in the belly!"
Another he is sure to face is Tasman first five/fullback Marty Banks, the only man to go from Heartland Championship (with Buller) to ITM Cup (Tasman) to Super Rugby (Hurricanes then Highlanders) in little more than 12 months. Judd is unlikely to achieve all that in such a tight time frame, but he would fancy it one day.
"I've actually been watching him. He's done pretty well, so I'd love to follow in his footsteps. It just shows you what is possible coming from a small union. There's always that next step. It's good to see Heartland players reach the next level."