After a mixed RWC campaign with the Italian national side, Northland-born Dean Budd could make a return to the Taniwha, seen here between parents Mike (left), Jan and brother Lloyd. Photo / Supplied
After a mixed RWC campaign with the Italian national side, Northland-born Dean Budd could make a return to the Taniwha, seen here between parents Mike (left), Jan and brother Lloyd. Photo / Supplied
It's been a tumultuous few weeks for Italy's Northland-born lock Dean Budd.
In the space of 19 days, 33-year-old Budd captained Italy's national side in one of two triumphant wins at the Rugby World Cup in Japan over Namibia and Canada, swallowed a heart-breaking loss to South Africa, and preparedfor a do-or-die match against the world champion All Blacks, only for it to be cancelled because of a typhoon.
The emotional rollercoaster has left Budd, who represented Northland in 2010, questioning his future in rugby as he is only days away from starting another season with Italian club Benetton Rugby, who he had been with for eight seasons.
Captains Tyler Ardron (Canada) and Dean Budd (Italy) at the coin toss as referee Nigel Owens looks on. Photo / Photosport
While Italy's chances at the World Cup were far-fetched, requiring a bonus-point win against the two-time defending champions to progress to the knockout stages, there was plenty of belief inside the Azures unit which was cruelly taken away by Mother Nature.
"I had my cousin and his family at the training ground watching and I didn't want to say it to them because I didn't want to believe that it was true, I just hoped that I'd heard wrong."
While he became a Rugby World Cup captain, Budd is feeling the pain of missing out on a quarter-final berth in Japan. Photo / Photosport
The abrupt cancellation had simply re-opened fresh wounds as it was only a week prior when Italy lost a vital game to South Africa, going down heavily, 49-3.
Budd, who had been a part of the national team for about two and a half years, said the contest with South Africa had been heavily targeted in a group which also included the All Blacks and to lose in such a fashion was nearly beyond description.
"[The South Africa game] had been all we'd talked and to go out there and not perform as well as we wanted ... we were completely demoralised," he said.
"It was proper heartbreaking. I don't know about the darkest days, but it was probably one of the most empty feelings I've ever had after a game of rugby."
While he admitted it took a few days and some tough conversations, Budd said the team had picked themselves up ahead of a do-or-die match against the world champions.
Budd, 33, holds his niece as he chats with his family after a game in Japan. Photo / Supplied
But as fate would have it, the Italian team went from having one last hurrah at the World Cup and still entertaining a possible quarter-final berth, to seeing their World Cup campaign end and what could be the last time the game will see a number of Italy's experienced players.
"For it to be taken away again, to have this two weeks in a row when everything you want doesn't come true, it's been a pretty rough finish to it all," Budd said.
Only hours after hearing the news his World Cup journey was over, Budd was surprisingly optimistic about his immediate future. Having planned to give away national rugby after the World Cup, the ex-Northlander was determined to not have this be his swansong.
"I was tossing and turning where my future was going, [but] I sure as hell want to get the jersey on again and get out there and finish it on a high, so we'll use it as a bit of inspiration."
Italy's Dean Budd goes hard into the tackle of England's Joe Marchant in their early September game this year. Photo / Photosport
Wherever he had been or would go in the world, Budd said he would always consider Northland home. Interestingly, Budd didn't play any rugby in Northland before he left to Palmerston North at eight years old to complete his schooling at Palmerston North Boys' High School.
In central North Island, Budd turned to rugby which made sense considering his father had played about 70 games for Northland. Progressing through high school and academy rugby, Budd came across current All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Dane Coles and Aaron Smith before joining Angus Ta'avao when Budd moved to Auckland.
Budd (centre) chats with his old foes from his days in Palmerston North, Aaron Smith (left) and Dane Coles when Italy played the All Blacks in Rome in November last year. Photo / Photosport
But it was in 2010 when Budd returned home and pulled on the Cambridge Blue under coaches Bryce Woodward and Blair Larsen and alongside Northland stalwarts such as David Holwell and Justin Collins. Budd said it was a dream come true to wear the Taniwha jersey as his father did.
"I always wanted to follow those footsteps and wear the Cambridge Blue so that was a massive moment for us and the family."
After missing out on Super Rugby with the Blues the following year, Budd had a brief stint in Japan before settling in Italy where he currently lived, apart from a trip back home about once a year to his mother's house in Teal Bay.
Might we see Budd back in a Taniwha jersey as he was in 2010? Photo / Photosport
While he wasn't sure what he would do post rugby, Budd was certain he had a few years left in him. When pressed on a potential return in the Northland jersey, Budd said it could be on the cards.
"I wouldn't discount it, I'd love a last hurrah with the Taniwha to be really honest," he said with a laugh.
Northland's Dean Budd scores a try against North Harbour in 2010. Photo / Photosport
"I remember saying to the chairman at the time [2010], I said, 'if I come back to New Zealand, I'll be coming back to the Taniwha', but we'll have to wait and see on that one.
"It would be special for me, absolutely. Northland is home for me and wearing the Taniwha jersey were some of the more special moments of my career so it'd be cool to give back if I could."
Budd could finish his illustrious career in Northland, where he lived until he was eight years old. Photo / Photosport
