Schoolboy dream comes true for All Black trio

Related Links

Tough All Blacks gig for late-bloomer

Relevant offers

All Blacks

Former All Blacks captain Tom Willis retires All Blacks to play at La Plata against Argentina Ian Foster reveals why ABs news was a secret Steve Hansen recruits old mate McLean on merit Fox 'on the outside looking in' for All Blacks Ian Foster named All Blacks assistant coach Hansen has much to prove as All Blacks coach Aussie McLean to be added to ABs coaching team Headgear won't protect players from concussion 'Sir Ted' still courted for help with All Blacks

Ten years ago Mike Delany, Tom Donnelly and Liam Messam were team-mates in a pretty handy Rotorua Boys High first XV.

Now they're about to run out as All Blacks for the first time as a trio. Who said schoolboy dreams don't come true?

Delany said today it was special to have a couple of his old school mates alongside for his test debut against Italy at the sold-out San Siro on Saturday afternoon (early Sunday NZ time).

For all three the test will be something to treasure, with Donnelly earning just his fourth cap and Messam, on the comeback trail, his third. They are all looking to lay down some early markers with their coaches.

But for Delany - the feelgood story of the provincial rugby year - it will be pretty much as good as it gets. Especially where he's come from.

Asked by one reporter in Milan today when he thought becoming an All Black was a reality, the Bay Steamers star, and true bolter of this touring squad, showed his honesty.

"I didn't really think it was a reality," he shrugged. "I didn't expect to make the side. I just kept plugging away week-in, week-out and the form was good. I'm glad they choose the side on form."

But now here he is and ready to play a test match in front of 80,000 people with the lanky lock and streak of athletic talent he used to run with in that Rotorua Boys side.

In fact Delany was a soccer player when he first rocked up at Boys High. But he soon found out in the Geyser City that didn't get you far.

"There's a lot of peer pressure at Rotorua Boys High to play rugby," he said. "Soccer was sort of frowned upon. I ended up turning to the oval ball, and I've been happy with that change ever since."

It was in 1999 when their paths converged in that first XV, which was good enough to finish third in the country, beaten by a Kelston Boys side featuring "a few big boys" including Sione Lauaki. "Liam was a young fella and Tom was older than I," recalls Delany. "It's pretty special for all of us."

The clever playmaker with the dazzling feet and eye for a gap admits that they never really thought they'd end up here. "We were doing it just because we loved the game, and we were never thinking that far ahead. But for it to come true is awesome. I really couldn't ask for more."

Coach Graham Henry said Delany deserved his chance at this level simply on the strength of some quality play that couldn't be ignored.

"He played outstandingly for Bay of Plenty," said Henry, a situation he put down to opportunity, maturity and confidence in pretty equal measures.

"You've got guys like Frank Bunce and Joe Stanley who became All Blacks at 28 and were world-class players in their 30s. This guy plays a different position but he could well do the same. He's got the opportunity."

Delany, who is a self-described "cruiser", is a little flummoxed by all the late bloomer talk.

"I didn't think I was that old really. I just kept at it, and thought if it comes, it comes, I'd just put my best foot forward. It worked out well and I ended up getting selected, so I couldn't ask for anything more."

He says there was no defining moment along the road, but nominates a key decision made after finishing university in Hamilton. Glen Jackson had just finished up as the long-term Steamers No 10 and, ever the opportunist, Delany spotted a gap. "I thought I'd do some hard yards and see what happens from there... I made the Bay side that year and just tried to improve every year after that."

He admits to a few nerves with the debut edging closer, but the 1.78m, 86kg ball-player reckons it's more excitement he's feeling.

"I just want to get out there, do the job and have that cap behind me."

One thing he does assure us is that he'll try to play his natural game as much as he can.

"I don't want to get too caught up in the occasion. I've got some great outsides and I want to use them."

- © Fairfax NZ News