Nothing breeds success like success and Northland's latest rugby hero - New Zealand Schoolboys representative Jake Heenan - will head south to Auckland to play his rugby for the foreseeable future.
Heenan played his part in Wednesday's 30-21 victory against their Australian counterparts at Otago Boys' High School. He played 65
minutes in the fast-paced and even encounter that was only settled when New Zealand scored a converted try with nine minutes to play.
Auckland snapped him up on a youth contract after he was selected in the Blues U18 squad.
"After the Blues (competition ended) I talked to a few people and they made me a pretty good offer - they're going to look after my university fees and are going to put me up in a house," he said.
"I suppose I'm a big fish in a small pond up here, but down there I'll be a small fish in a big pond and it will help me to better understand the challenges I'll face."
He said the NRU management understood his position and wished him well. "There's a big chance I'll be back here but there's no chance I'll ever forget where I'm from," he said.
The 18-year-old is planning to study Animal Management and Welfare in a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree part-time while also devoting himself to making a go of it in professional rugby.
"The main thing for me was that I could play a very high level of club rugby down there. I'll be in an environment where I'll be able to keep my standards high, week in week out," he said.
Ultimately Heenan will be trying to make the Auckland and Blues U20 squads and hopes to also challenge for a place in the New Zealand U20s next year.
The Whangarei boy got a tough workout against the Australians on Wednesday.
"The boys in the team are all outstanding players and I've never played rugby like that before. It was pretty tough to keep up with but really enjoyable, and that's a big factor for me," he said.
Heenan played in the unfamiliar position of openside flanker in the match instead of the more familiar blindside, lock or No8, after convincing the coaching staff he could do it.
"Making the starting line-up was a big thing for me at the start of the camp. I worked hard for it and was really pleased when it all worked out."
He thought it "very likely" he would play for his Northland U18 team against North Harbour tomorrow at 1pm at Silverdale.
