Rugby: Kean makes instant impact in frontrow

Mason Kean

MAC premier rugby team's head coach Anthony Morley has labelled Mason Kean the best frontrower to come off the Hastings Boys' High School production line since Ben Tameifuna.

Kean, 19, backed up his coach's call by becoming the first weekly winner in the tussle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award. This followed a player-of-the-match performance in MAC's first win against Havelock North in 25 years, a 21-18 victory at Flaxmere's Ron Giorgi Park on Saturday.

It was Kean's first starting XV appearance for the side and his only previous outing was 20 minutes off the bench while still at school last year. The fact Kean was propping against a bloke with more than 100 premier outings on his CV, Emmanuel Maui, is another indication of his promise.

"I thought the whole team went well ... it's not just about individuals," the modest Kean said before travelling to Wellington on Sunday for a week-long Hurricanes Youth Development camp.

"Our forwards dug deep for the whole game."

Like Chiefs prop Tameifuna, a 2011 New Zealand Under-20 world champion and former New Zealand Secondary Schools rep, Kean can play all three frontrow positions. But while Tameifuna prefers the tighthead role, Kean favours the loosehead job.

"I'm aiming to make the Hawke's Bay under-19s this year and the New Zealand under-20s next year," Kean said.

While his long-term goal is to become a policeman, he is working as a carpet and pest control technician for Able Clean & Restoration so he can achieve his rugby goals. This job is ideal as he can't start work until 8.30am because of his Hawke's Bay Rugby Academy training commitments four mornings each week.

The physical aspect of his work, which involves exterior building washes and carpet cleaning, complements his rugby training.

A former Hawke's Bay under-14 and under-18 rep (injuries prevented him from playing for the under-16s), Kean will return from the capital on Friday so he can be available for MAC's game against Napier Old Boys Marist at Park Island that afternoon. NOBM boast more experienced frontrowers than Havelock North and Kean is looking forward to scrummaging against them.

Although most New Zealand players his age will nominate an All Black as their favourite player, Kean's choice will surprise many. It's Springboks and Sharks hooker Bismarck Du Plessis.

"I just like his game," he said.

Morley pointed out MAC stalwarts were excited about Kean's future.

"Mason has a great attitude. His work ethic off the field is reflected by his workrate on the field. I can't speak highly enough about this young man."

Best & fairest

MAC V Havelock North:

3, Mason Kean (MAC); 2, Phil McRoberts (Havelock); 1, Emile Fanene (MAC).

Taradale v Tech:

3, Billy Ropiha (Taradale); 2, Mark Braidwood (Tech); 1, Karl Hewitt (Taradale).

Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports v Napier Old Boys Marist:

3, Jonathan Ruru (Pirate); 2, Joseph Penitito (NOBM); 1, Roger McPherson (Pirate).

Hastings Rugby and Sports v Central:

3, Mike Ward (Hastings); 2, Tom Symes (Central); 1, Enoka Chung Ching (Hastings).

Clive v Tamatea:

3, Rocky Pohatu (Clive); 2, Nathan Worsley (Clive); 1, Henare Harris (Tamatea).