RISING Wanganui rugby talent Stephen Perofeta made a big impression with the powers that be after debuting in the U18 Hurricane side that thumped their Crusader Knight counterparts 61-17 on Monday.
Perofeta gained a start with the Hurricanes through his deeds on the paddock with the Wanganui Collegiate 1st XV as a first-five eighth. However, he was nominated by his school as a possible second-five.
Hurricanes head coach and convenor of selectors Darren Larsen said Perofeta was named as the starting first-five for the Hurricanes/Crusaders clash in Blenheim on Monday.
"We played 35-minute halves and Stephen played first-five until the 46th minute and then he came back for the last 12 minutes as fullback, so he got a fair bit of game time," Larsen said yesterday.
"He is a very talented young player and an impressive young man. He fitted right into the squad from the training camp through to the game. He proved to be a very good team man and that's important."