Rugby: Forward sings team's praises

Napier Technical hooker Nathan Pulega on the job at Charman Motor Trimmers & Upholsterers Ltd in Napier. Photo / Warren Buckland

When it comes to collecting Maddison Trophy winner's medals Napier Technical utility forward Nathan Pulega is an experienced hand.

He has done it three times with Taradale in 2006, '07 and '09 and once with the Texans in 2013. So when Pulega, 28, promotes this season's Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical team as better than the 2013 outfit he deserves to be listened to.

"This year's team has more depth than the 2013 side. It's just a matter of putting all that individual talent into a team effort," Pulega said.

Pulega was often at the front of the charge as the Texans did this when they recovered from a 21-6 deficit to beat Hawke's Bay Insurances Ltd Napier Old Boys Marist 28-21 in a first round Maddison Trophy encounter at Park Island on Saturday. In fact he was so prominent he won player-of-the-match honours and became the 10th weekly winner as the battle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continued.

"My goal is to have at least one game for the Magpies before I hang up the boots and in the meantime I'll do whatever it takes for the Tech team to play well."

A Napier Boys' High School old boy who only reached 3rd XV level in his final year, Pulega, can play all three front row positions as well as No.8. A Tech club player from the age of 9, Pulega, had his first premier game when he was 17. "Tech had no colts team so I went to Taradale and spent five years there learning the game. This is my fourth season back at Tech ... home is where the heart is," Pulega said.

Everything going to plan Pulega, who played 47 premier games for Taradale, will play his 50th for Tech against Taradale on June 13. While the former Hawke's Bay under-20s rep has yet to crack the Magpies wider training group he said he is feeding off the knowledge and tips his Tech captain and fellow frontrower, Mark Braidwood, brings back to the club from the group.

"Cracker [Braidwood's nickname] is having an awesome season and is definitely putting his hand up for Magpies selection," Pulega said.

An upholsterer at Charman Motor Trimmers & Upholsterers Ltd in Napier, Pulega said he enjoys listening to the stick customers from Taradale fire his way when they come in. When he's not at work, or playing rugby, Pulega can be found at church where he is a singer.

If Tech can repeat their Nash Cup round win against Maddison Trophy holders Progressive Meats Havelock North at Whitmore Park on Saturday expect Pulega to be among the leaders when the hosts burst into a celebratory song or two.