Rugby: Hard work paying off for Karpik

Mitch Karpik. Photo / Getty Images

Mitch Karpik needed patience in 2014 but he is starting to reap the rewards of some hard physical training to complement his clear talent as an opensider.

The New Zealand Under 20s squad member flies to Australia with the team today for the Oceania Junior Championship and is set to play a central role as New Zealand attempt to win back the world title when they travel to Italy in June.

"I'm really fortunate to have this opportunity, so hopefully I can put my best foot forward,' said Karpik, who will turn 20 on June 2, when New Zealand open their JWC campaign against Scotland.

Karpik is a fetcher in the classic mould, shortish but wiry and very strong over the ball. His crop of blond hair makes him stand out to spectators, referees and scouts alike. He has come through the accepted pathway of NZ Barbarians Schools (2012) and NZ Schools (2013) out of King's College, where he captained the First XV in his final year.

In 2014, as the John Drake Memorial Scholar to the Auckland University club, Karpik had to settle for a mix of Under 21 action - where he appeared in all three loosie positions and won the championship - and premier play, where his way was often blocked by quality No 7s in Nepia Fox-Matamua and Sean Polwart.

But he ripped into his commerce studies and training, and was picked up by the Auckland 7s and Under 19s. So well did he acquit himself for the latter in the national tournament that he claimed the Sir DJ Graham award for the best on show. He has packed on some weight and is up over the 100kg mark without having lost any speed. His shoulders and traps look like massive slabs of muscle.

Cracking this side was a clear goal, and he knows that eye-catching displays here will alert the Auckland selectors for the ITM Cup. In the meantime, he is reducing his study workload to do justice to both that and his rugby.

"I'm just taking one paper for this semester. Last year I took the full eight, which was a bit of a nightmare, especially with travel to the UK with the sevens. I learned my lesson from that," he said.

Karpik has plenty of familiar faces in this squad, with no less than 10 others having played with him in the 2013 NZ Schools, and Wellington No 8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas an old First XV teammate.

Competition for openside places will be hot, with 2014 loosie Mitch Jacobson and Blake Gibson - if the Blues release him - both capable of doing the job.

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson knows a thing or two about loose forwards, and likes the cut of Karpik's gib.

"He's worked extremely hard physically to prepare himself and he's tough. He's played 7s, got great anticipation for the game, and he's brutal at the breakdown, so he's going to be critical for us," said Robertson.