Reed said he and forwards coach Chris Heiberg — who is also assistant coach of the Western Force Women’s Super Rugby team — were keen to nurture and expand Nepia’s knowledge of the game.
“Having Hayze with a year of coaching under Chris, his game is going to develop nationally.”
The Palmyra squad features New Zealand hooker Sebastian Siataga, who has caps for Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Southland and Super Rugby franchises the Chiefs and the Crusaders.
He will also help guide Nepia and expand his knowledge.
That mentoring could help produce a player who could go “a very long way”, Reed said.
“Every club in the world is looking for good front-rowers and locks, and they’re just not out there.
“So if you can get a young kid who is 188 to 192 centimetres and 130kg, who can move like a blindside flanker, you have the raw ingredients to do something special.
“If your primary position is tighthead but you can play in the Heartland final at six . . . that’s a big powerful athlete.
“We look at it as taking a player who has massive raw potential . . .. and putting him in an environment where he is going to be tested.
“You need to put him in an environment where he is around good players.”
Palmyra ended a 32-year drought when they won last year’s Premier final.
A highlight reel was made of Nepia in action and was sent to Gisborne-based Luke Bradley — the founder of agency LRB Sports.
He went to his contacts and the offers began to roll in.
Nepia has had previous opportunities to play overseas but felt he did not have the confidence to meet his expectations and chose not to sign.
This year is different as his support network helped him realise he has the potential and was ready to take the next step.
“Family and friends want to see me push to the next level,” Nepia said.
“I also want to be able to create more opportunities for other people looking at taking that step.”
Longer term, Nepia is keen to build a profile in the international market and help players from New Zealand — particuarly smaller communities . . . and show them that “dreams can happen”.
His inspiration comes from past legends of the game such as the late Jonah Lomu and Ma’a Nonu.
Nepia’s style reflects such heroes. He is built like a forward but moves like a back.
But as dominant a force as he can be on the field, he admits he is anxious and nervous about leaving home.
“It’s the unknown,” Nepia said. “I just have to go with the flow and do what I do on the field, I guess. Just go and play the game — it’s only a game.”
