Plumtree set for U20 world championships

After nearly two months on the sideline, Taine Plumtree is back on the field and heading to Argentina with the New Zealand Under 20 rugby team.

Plumtree, who plays lock, said it was a “dream come true” to be selected in the 28-man squad that will compete in the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship next month.

“Being in this environment and squad it’s obviously a huge honour, and being able to pull on the black jersey was definitely a great feeling.”

Plumtree suffered an injury to the AC joint in his shoulder during an Under 20 camp in March. Fortunately, he made his return to rugby in an 87-12 victory over Japan in the Oceania Rugby Under 20 Championship held in the Gold Coast.

Once back from Australia, he came off the bench for the Old Boys University Premiers in their 41-13 win over Poneke last weekend, his first club appearance of the season.

The NZ Under 20’s lost 24-0 to Australia in their final game of the 2019 Under 20 Oceania Championship, which saw Australia claim their first championship, something that didn’t sit well with Plumtree and the team.

“I think as a group, as a squad, we didn’t play to our full potential. We’ll be going into the world cup with the thought of Aussie beating us, and we obviously don’t want that feeling again.”

The New Zealand side faces big expectations heading into the tournament, having won the annual championship six times in its eleven years of existence. They will face Georgia, Scotland, and 2012 champions South Africa in pool play.

Plumtree was studying Environmental science at Victoria University but had already spent time away for the Oceania Championship, and would spend a month abroad for the World Championship. Therefore, he had decided to take a step back from his studies with the intention of starting up again in the second semester of this year.

A player that he had been keeping a close eye on is blockbusting Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea, who he said was a role model. “In terms of work rate, I look up to Ardie Savea. He’s in top form at the moment, it’s pretty cool to watch,” Plumtree said.

In December last year, Plumtree got a closer look at the likes of Savea when he was in training with the Hurricanes during their pre-season as a replacement player. An experience that he said he had taken a lot from.

“[It] was an awesome experience, being able to train with those guys and learn a bit off them. Just getting a taste of what it’s like to be a professional footy player.”

Taine said that he takes a few pointers from his dad John Plumtree, who is the current Hurricanes head coach, but there were a lot of other coaches and staff that supported him as well.

“He’ll tell me what my work-ons are but I think most of my development from the last year has come through the Wellington Academy.”

Plumtree said that the trainers and nutritionists involved in the Wellington Academy had helped him put on weight, something that had become increasingly important in today's game, particularly for forwards.

Another that Plumtree acknowledged in helping his game tremendously was former All Black and now Wellington Under 19 coach Dion Waller, who had helped him with areas of his game such as lineouts and ball carrying.

“He’s helped me out a lot over the last year. Not only as a coach but he’s a good guy to chat to off the field,” he said of Waller.

Prop Kaliopasi Uluilakepa from Petone Rugby Club and Marist St Pats and Hurricanes Centre Billy Proctor are the other Wellington players featured in the World Championship squad.

The team will gather in Mount Maunganui for a five-day camp before flying out to Argentina on May 31.

Author: Adam Blackwell