Young prop on cloud nine

NATHAN WHITE (left) savours the moment as he gets his hands on the Air New Zealand Cup on Saturday night, with fellow prop Craig West (right) and scrum coach Craig Stevenson. Photo by K.Booth/PhotoproNZ.

By Colin Thorsen

Unheralded Te Awamutu Sports prop Nathan White says the reality of being part of Waikato’s triumphant Air New Zealand Cup victory is still sinking in.

“It’s only happened once before. To be part of a once in 14 years victory is pretty awesome,” says the 25-year-old. “I’m only starting to realise what we’ve achieved now that I’ve seen a few photos of the guys with the trophy.”

White was one of five players in the Waikato starting 15 affiliated to Te Awamutu Sports club, along with skipper Steven Bates, Jono Gibbes, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Sione Lauaki. Toby Lynn (who grew up here) was on the bench and Sam Biddles (Sports) in the squad, completing Te Awamutu’s Magnificent Seven.

White said the atmosphere at Waikato Stadium was unbelievable both during and after their 37-31 finals win over Wellington.

“It’s the first time that I’ve played in front of a packed house with everyone up singing the Mooloo song. You couldn’t hear yourself think.”

The young tyro will never forget having a run, out in front with the trophy on his team’s victory lap.

“Everyone was in party mode, the place was going off. I thought it can’t get any better than this.”

Of the newer names in the Waikato side, White (like Richard Kahui in the backs) has looked an enormously exciting prospect all season.

James McOnie, in the Sunday Herald, said: “White went about his business with a certain ‘sang froid’ - that’s French for cold blood.”

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Te Awamutu Sports’ inspirational Waikato forwards, Jono Gibbes (left) and skipper Steven Bates cherish the moment at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night. Herald photo

Waikato captain Steve Bates said White was turning into a tremendous footballer - “a great tighthead prop in the making. Whitey has filled a massive gap for Waikato this season. He’s been outstanding for us. If he can work on a couple of things, I know he has the ability to not just make Super 14 but a couple of notches higher than that.”

White said it was good to see fellow prop Craig West grab his opportunity with both hands when given the chance to play for Waikato this season.

“I’m rapt for him. I know his capabilities, we’ve played a lot together for the B’s and Colts.”

It’s early days, but there was much to admire about the 2006 Waikato front row of White, Tom Willis and West to suggest they have the potential to follow in the footsteps of arguably the greatest Mooloo front rows of all time - All Black trio Richard Loe, Warren Gatland and Graham Purvis.

White is hoping his week is made complete by getting a call from Chiefs coach Ian Foster, with the news he has a Super 14 contract after making his debut earlier this year.

Bates, who has enjoyed a stellar season himself, said he was privileged to lead a side blessed with such world class forwards as Jono Gibbes, Marty Holah and Keith Robinson, and a backline the equal of any in the competition.

“It’s a pretty awesome feeling being national champions of the best provincial rugby competition in world. It can’t be taken away from us. When people look back in time, they’ll read that Waikato were the best team in the country in 2006.”

Bates said he and all the other Waikato players affiliated to Te Awamutu Sports would love to turn out for the club at Albert Park one day but reality suggests that is unlikely to happen.

“It is disappointing to think the next generation of kids will miss out on seeing these stars because of the demands of professional football.”