Chiefs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow a star in the making

He was named by a grand-uncle after the first morning star and Tawera Kerr-Barlow is a rugby star in the making.

The young halfback has had rugby pundits talking - especially after his sparkling performance last weekend against his Blues counter-parts Alby Mathewson and All Black incumbent Piri Weepu.

With the early season injury to Brendon Leonard (hamstring), many would have been forgiven being a little worried about the 21-year-old stepping into those boots.

But the Ngati Maniapoto descendant hasn't skipped a beat. Kerr-Barlow made several sniping runs, which included three linebreaks for a total of 85m. This was second only to another star on the rise for the Chiefs, Robbie Robinson (93m).

But is all the recognition getting to the youngster? No, in fact, it has made him even more grounded.

"I just keep trying to moving on with things and concentrating on the next job and make the best of it."

Kerr-Barlow grew up in Darwin, a city not really known for its rugby stars.

"Not too many people know where it is - it's quite a little city but that's where I grew up with my mum and dad.

"There was a lot [of rugby there] when I was young but its kind of faded away, especially by the time I left, it had dropped a lot," Kerr-Barlow said.

"I think because Darwin's [rugby] season was played in the wet. So people from around the world, Frano Botica and them, used to go back and play there. Just because the rugby season was going back there when it wasn't over here."

Despite being born in Australia, his parents were strong on their Maori heritage and Kerr-Barlow was given the name Tawera by a grand-uncle.

"My grandmother's brother named me. She went to him and asked for a name and he came up with Tawera - the first morning star," Kerr-Barlow said.

"I was called by my second name in Australia, it was only when I came back to New Zealand for high school that I started getting called Tawera."

If Kerr-Barlow continues with the form he is showing - the first morning star's name could be on the lips of the All Blacks' selectors come June.

However, at this stage all the 13-game Chiefs player is concerned about is this week when he takes on a wounded Crusaders outfit in Napier tonight.

"Yeah, I'll just go out there and play my game and do the best by the Chiefs also. I didn't go out in [last weekend's] game to try and challenge all the time around the ruck," Kerr-Barlow said.

"It may not open up in this game and I may be distributing a lot more. We'll just have to see how it goes."

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said he had confidence in the young halfback.

"Tawera had a magic last 60 [minutes] I think. The thing that impressed me most was his mental strength ... He didn't get everything right early in the game but to come back and play as well as he did, was a great effort."

Rennie said his side would also have to be careful of a Crusaders backlash from their loss to the Highlanders last week.

"There is no doubt they [Crusaders] will front mentally and physically."

This is a home game for the Crusaders - while their new ground at Addington is being prepared - who will play at McLean Park at 7.35pm.

 

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