Marlborough will be well represented, both on and off the field, at the forthcoming World Rugby Under-20 championships in Italy.
Cooper Roberts, a former Marlborough Boys’ College First XV standout, is expected to play a major part in the 30-strong squad’s campaign from midfield, having been one of the more consistent performers during the NZU20’s recent Rugby Championship triumph in South Africa.
Performing a different, but no less vital, role will be Blenheim physiotherapist Richie Marsden, one of a two-person medical crew with the side.
The pair flew off to Europe on Tuesday.
Cooper, who plays his rugby for the University of Canterbury club in Christchurch and has signed a contract with the Tasman Mako for the forthcoming NPC season, is excited by the chance to tackle the world’s best and feels the team is well prepared for the challenge.
“The boys certainly built some confidence through the Rugby Championship,” he said.
“After that first game against Australia [a draw] we began to connect a lot better, it was a wake-up call, and our second game [against Argentina] felt pretty good - we managed to rattle them a bit.
“In the final game, against South Africa, we were three tries down very quickly, which was a bit of a shock, but the boys stayed very calm. We hadn’t touched the ball but we knew our attack was our weapon … so when we got some possession we ended up coming back and eventually winning, which was a great boost.”
Cooper put the fact the side remained cool under scoreline pressure, and with a big local crowd roaring their opponents on, down to having experienced players in key positions.
Seven new players have been added to the squad for the Italian job, making the side even more potent, according to Cooper.
“Winning the Rugby Championship gave us plenty of build on, I think we have the team to go all the way,” he added.
Since returning to NZ, Cooper has been playing some club footy although he admits the threat of injury was “always in the back of your mind”.
“I played three [club] games and before the last one I cheekily pointed out to the coach that I had played a fair few minutes, in South Africa and for the club, but he was still keen on me starting … it’s all good though, the more game time I get the better I guess.”
Having a familiar Marlborough face nearby during the worlds is also a bonus, especially someone Cooper has known and trusted for many years.
“I was going to Richie since I was about 14 … it’s great to have him there, along with the other Tasman players, Eli Oudenryn and Maloni Kunawave, plus the manager Huw Beynon and analyst Luca Roden.”
Richie recalls a young Cooper Roberts showing up at his clinic at a young age.
“He obviously had the potential to go places and he is obviously fulfilling that, which is awesome.
“There is a special place for people from the Marlborough and Tasman district when we are on tour, so I will look after him.”
Richie is a vastly-experienced sports physio, especially in rugby. He has worked with the Samoan national side, the Blues, the Crusaders and then the Mako for the past eight seasons.
He has also been part of the NZ U20 set-up since 2020 and will be attending his third U20 World Cup.
“This is our first time in the northern hemisphere,” he said, “heat is going to be an issue, so acclimatisation is key.
“We didn’t have the luxury of spending a huge amount of time together before we headed off … but, obviously the Rugby Championship was fantastic and we have had some player changes since then too, which I think will strengthen the team.”
The Edge Physio director says the days will be long, with rehab, injury management, individual strapping and many other tasks to carry out, plus his on-field role on matchdays.
He has to attend to injured players on the field, a job that requires hasty and accurate assessment, more so in the modern era.
“There is more pressure nowadays because the referees are instructed to speed up the game … their instruction is to get on with it, whereas our instruction is to make sure we make the best decision for the player, the game and for the team.
“A lot of it comes down to knowing your players beforehand. It is a pretty tight relationship the medical team has with the players. We have to get them to trust us.”
New Zealand’s first pool game is against hosts Italy in Calvisano on Monday, June 30 (NZT). They go on to play Georgia in Viadana on Saturday, July 5, then Ireland back in Calvisano on Thursday July 10, before, hopefully heading to play-offs.
