Chronicles of Elrick still to be written

Like A lot of Kiwi kids, Jon Elrick's biggest fan happens to be his biggest critic - his dad.

It just so happens, however, that Elrick's father is none other than 1982 All White Adrian Elrick.

Elrick junior is a chip off the old block. Talented, aware of what he wants in life and carrying around a confidence that borders on cocky - traits that worked for his father considering Adrian Elrick is regarded as one of this country's best football players and sits fourth on the all-time list with 91 caps for the New Zealand.

The major difference, however, is that Jon plans on lining up for the All Blacks, not the All Whites, and begins his assault on this dream when he turns out for North Harbour in this year's NPC.

Yesterday, he scored a try and kicked goals as Harbour beat Waikato in a pre-season friendly encounter.

In many ways it could have and should have been a much different for the 21-year-old first five-eighths.

A talented footballer who was named the player of the tournament at a national under-16 event, Jon nevertheless turned his back on the round-ball code after he inexplicably missed out on a number of age-group sides.

It wasn't a tough decision to make for a brash young 15-year-old considering he was also making a name for himself in the Rangitoto first XV.

"Jonathan (dad still calls him by his full name, much to his son's displeasure) should be over there playing with the New Zealand Knights," Adrian said, nodding in the direction of the team, under the guidance of his old mentor John Adshead, training only a short distance away.

"Other players were getting selected for the New Zealand under-17s and he was getting bypassed and I truly believe it was because of the stigma of being Adrian Elrick's son."

Jon has no hesitation in saying he would still be playing football if he had been given the recognition he felt he deserved - former tea-mates like David Mulligan and Jeremy Christie are now professionals - but is equally quick to point out he has no regrets about his decision. And nor does dad.

"Obviously you'd like your son to follow in your footsteps but I didn't care what he played, as long as he played sport," Adrian explained.

The self-proclaimed "sports nut" can usually be seen watching either Jon or his younger brother Nick, who is a talented fullback, around Auckland. It means the sports nut also has pretty strong opinions regarding his sons' development.

Jon assumes a wry smile when the subject of Adrian's tutelage comes up. He realises he probably wouldn't be where he is today if it wasn't for his dad, who spent countless hours down at the local park, fine-tuning his technique and passion for sport.

"He points out a lot of things I do wrong which helps," Jon said, emphasising the word points.

"I always try to impress my dad, everybody does, and if something is going wrong, he lets me know. He's honest, and it helps me a lot but it can be frustrating to have a football guy telling me how to kick a rugby ball."

Kicking a rugby ball is something Jon has been excelling at in recent times and his prodigious left boot has people north of the bridge excited about the youngster.

A North Harbour academy product and 2005 Blues development squad member, he has also been marked for the future by the New Zealand Rugby Union having spent time at development camps.

He switched from being a flanker to a first five-eighths only three years ago. While the All Blacks is the ultimate goal, it's a case of learning his trade with North Harbour first and he will probably start behind Tusi Pisi in the pecking order. Then, all things going well, Super 12.

Jon Elrick certainly has the pedigree to achieve at the top level and sitting on the sidelines, with a grin on his face, will be a diminutive yet proud father ready with words of encouragement... and advice.