Rugby: Dunster's game does the talking

IN FORM: Aarin Dunster, Turangi player.

Turangi rugby player Aarin Dunster says the toughest thing about captaining the King Country Rams for the 2014 season is the public speaking that comes with the job.

The 36-year-old Turangi player, who first won selection to the King Country side in 2003, has captained the side on and off and said taking a leadership role when the focus was on playing rugby came naturally. But making speeches was another matter.

"I'm not that confident with public speaking but it always seems to work out and when you're telling everyone what we should be doing as a team it's important to front up and lead by example."

Dunster, who has a young family and a full-time job as a bushman, took a break from rugby last year but decided to give it another go this season.

His club rugby season for Tongariro was interrupted by a niggling knee injury that forced him out for four weeks.

He said the injury had since come right, he was in good enough form to make it into the Rams side, and was looking forward to captaining the side in the Heartland competition.

In a demanding training regime, he travels to Taupo, Taumarunui and Te Kuiti for sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the season between 6.45pm and 8.30pm. When training is in Te Kuiti he usually isn't home before midnight.

"It is a big commitment but when you put your hand up you just get on and do it."

He said while his rugby did disrupt family life, wife Raukura and their two youngest children Tyler, 8, and Meretaia, 4, come along to games as often as possible.

An understanding boss also enabled him to manage his work schedule during the season and he was able to take Fridays off to travel to away games.

"I've been in the same job with the same company for a while and while I get the odd tired time I'm in a routine and get through it."

Dunster said the King Country Rams had a good mix of older players and young ones and although he was not as fit as when he was younger, the knowledge and experience the older players brought counted for a lot.

Dunster - who plays lock and flanker - said his priority was to get through the season without too many injuries and help the team turn things around this year after a mediocre 2013 season, when they finished ninth.

The Rams got their season off to a good start last weekend, defeating Wairarapa Bush 32-13 in Taupo.

Whakarewarewa's Chanse Perham will also line-up for the King Country Rams this year.