Rugby: 'Year-young' Farrell savours NZ U20 window of opportunity

Tim Farrell says the Hawke's Bay rugby academy coaches were pivotal in his incremental growth. Photo / File

When Tim Farrell was invited to a New Zealand Under-20 camp early last month he had no inkling he was going to be called up.

But the 18-year-old loosehead/tighthead prop from Napier, a "year young", isn't going to lose sleep if he doesn't run on to the park.

"I always wanted to be in the black jersey since I was a kid, just like every other footballer out there, so it's kind of surreal that I can slip on a jersey to have a fern on my chest," says Farrell who is happy to soak up the culture and atmosphere.

"I take it as an opportunity to grow and an awesome opportunity to learn from the guys who have been there before."

The Victoria University first-year part-time student in geography and environmental studies is a former Napier Boys' High School pupil who played for Napier Technical Old Boys but now plays for Old Boys University.

He made the cut to Hawke's Bay Under-16s in 2014 as a Year 11 pupil and, in that year, went on to help clinch the Hurricanes age-group crown.

Farrell intends to focus on his club footy between studies.

"It is pretty good compared to what it is in Hawke's Bay. It is a lot more professionally run," he says, pointing out Old Boys University have two managers, a head coach and a stable of specialist mentors.

"I'd rather it was the way at home where you just turn up with the boots and jump on the pitch," says the former Rissington/Raynier School pupil who intends to return home in July.

He got the big-time warm fuzzies as Year 12 pupil in the NBHS first XV while performing in front of his family among a decent crowd. The desire was to make the Hurricanes Under-18s after making the NZ Secondary Schools Baabaas side.

Father John Farrell, of Wellington, and partner Sandra Martin, as well as mother Mel Brooks, of Napier, and partner Andy Mawley, have been instrumental in fuelling that passion.

The Bay rugby academy, of course, became pivotal year after year to focus on players who show potential at a younger age. He lauds mentors Joe Payton and Jason Shoemark at the academy as well as the strength and conditioning coach, Luke Stephenson.

The Westshore Surf Lifesaving Club also played an integral in shaping his identity.