RUGBY: Intelligent Eyre awaits Otago mates

The work of Taniwha number-eight Cameron Eyre brought him to Northland but, after gaining selection to the squad, he has  quickly nailed down a starting position and is anticipating crossing swords with  old mates from Otago, when they visit this Friday.
The forwards have been working hard to improve their effectiveness at the breakdown and Eyre thought their performance at Albany during the second half of their 26-23 win over North Harbour was beginning to get closer to their true potential.
"We got a bit of a rocket at halftime, but we deserved it, and it was good to see a big improvement how we did things in the second half," he said.
On Friday night, Eyre arguably had his best match for Northland.
His defence was matched by some good ball carrying and he now provides a valuable option at the back of the line-out.
Northland coach Bryce Woodward said Eyre had a good game.
"He's an intelligent footballer and he's got a very good handle of what he has to do and when he makes mistakes you don't have to tell him about it, because he's already analysed what has or hasn't gone well," he said.
Born in the deep south of Otago, in the town of Owaka (population 350) on the Catlins Coast,  the son of the local preacher, Eyre was drawn to rugby at an early age.
"You needed everyone possible to make a team up in a town that small so I started playing from four years old and it's been a passion ever since."
At the age of 15, he left Owaka to attend St Andrew's College in Christchurch, where he played in the first  XV with future Northland teammate Mikaele Tuu'u.
"After I moved to Christchurch, I began to get a bit more serious about rugby," he said.
The change in attitude began to reap results for the 1.92-metre 105-kilo loose forward.
He played for the Canterbury Colts and B side and made one appearance for the senior side before being transferred to Northland.
The American forestry company he works for transferred him up from Canterbury and the opportunity to try  to break into the Northland team was made easier by injuries to Gus Collins and Roy Griffin.
The life of a professional rugby player means he isn't guaranteed to get his job back at the end of the season but Eyre said it  was worth the risk for a chance to make his mark in New Zealand rugby.
"You only get the chance once and I'm only 22 and haven't got any responsibilities so now's the time to take crack at it."
Eyre said Otago  would always be home for him but  he was enjoying his time in Northland.
"In fact, it reminds me a lot of home. It's very laid back up here and the people are the same too," he said. He  had grown up playing with and against players in the Otago side and  was looking forward to the action in the team's first match at Okara Park this Friday evening.