Rugby: Ross eyes Steamers spot

Aidan Ross, left, was part of the New Zealand team that won the World Rugby Under-20 Championship title in Italy. Photo / John Borren

Aidan Ross will never forget the emotion he felt when the final whistle blew in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship title in Italy.

New Zealand beat England 21-16 to win their first junior world title since 2011, with Ross and the other non-playing members of the New Zealand squad leading the charge onto the field to celebrate with their teammates.

"I think that was one of my best sprint times," Ross joked.

Te Puke Sports prop Ross played 20 minutes off the bench in the tournament opener against Scotland, then played the opening half against Argentina before 20 minutes against Ireland off the bench in the final pool game.

He admits it was disappointing to miss out on making the playing squad for the final matches but quickly adapted his role helping the chosen players prepare for the knock-out games.

"I was hopeful but obviously someone had to miss out and that was me. I was gutted but I shifted my mind focus pretty quickly to the next job which was preparing the boys who were playing," Ross said.

"Going over the English lineouts and their attacking moves meant at training time me and the other boys could run those moves against them. We got our boys really prepared and they knew what they were coming up against."

Ross found the standard at the tournament in Italy to be much faster than he was used to playing.

"Every level you go up the game becomes faster with ruck speed and speed off the line, and that is one thing I have taken from the 20s programme. At club level it is definitely physical but not that fast."

The New Zealand team was coached by former Mount Maunganui College star Scott "Razor" Robertson, with help from two other former All Blacks in Tana Umaga and Leon McDonald.

"I found Razor an interesting coach," Ross said. "He loves to get amongst it with the boys and is big on the finer details around the game and knows those one per centers that make a real big difference.

Ross was in the same Tauranga Boys' College First XV as Te Puke Sports teammate Dan Hollinshead and would love to play alongside him in the Steamers.

But he knows it will be tough to make the squad this year.

"There are a lot of boys that (Steamers coach) Clayton (McMillan) has had a lot more time to see rather than me because I have been away. "