Two brothers who cut their chops playing junior rugby in the Far North are making their presence felt on the international stage.
Jordan and James Lay grew up in Pamapuria and played for various Takahue JMB sides before continuing their education in Auckland.
Jordan, now aged 20, has just returned from touring Japan with the New Zealand University side, who won all three of their games against professional university sides. He described the trip as an "awesome experience" and is still contracted to the Varsity club which plays in the top-level Auckland premier club rugby competition while he completes his business studies.
James also played for Varsity last year, notably while aged only 18, and was often called up to replace his older brother at loosehead prop off the bench. Now 19, James has relocated to Canberra after securing a contract with the Vikings Academy where he plays for the ACT Colts, the feeder club to the Brumbies Super 15 side.
Parents Murray and Serafina Lay, who used to own the dairy at Pamapuria were, unsurprisingly, "very excited" monitoring their children's progress.