'Do get that frustration': Hurricanes recruit on rivalry with Richie Mo'unga
Everything doesn’t always go to plan in professional sport. Athletes at the top of their game want to challenge themselves, but can only do so when opportunities come their way.
After a challenging start to his professional career, Hurricanes recruit Brett Cameron has a golden opportunity to make his mark at Super Rugby level this season.
Cameron, who made his All Blacks debut in 2018, has previously trained and played under the tutelage of coach Scott Robertson at the Crusaders.
But opportunities to play under ‘Razor’ proved hard to come by.
After leading the Crusaders in 2021, Cameron left New Zealand for an opportunity overseas after failing to secure a contract with any of the Kiwi Super Rugby franchises.
The one-Test All Black plied his trade with Kamaishi Seawaves, before signing with the Hurricanes for the 2023 campaign.
But clearly, Cameron has had to travel a unique path in order to get to this point – his story is one of perseverance, determination and grit.
During his stint in Christchurch, the flyhalf was given “limited minutes” out on the field. Instead, Richie Mo’unga continued to steer the team to title after title.
“At the start it’s so good to have someone like that to shadow and sit behind and just learn off, which I really enjoyed,” Cameron told RugbyPass.
“But you do get that frustration as well of getting limited minutes and sort of tough to come by opportunities.
“Just had to look at the positives and I was still learning everyday down there and became awesome friends with Richie.
“Still learnt a lot but it’s good to be in a position now where hopefully I can use what I’ve learnt and play more footy.”
But Cameron will have to wait a little bit longer for his Hurricanes debut.
While the 26-year-old no doubt eager to lace up the boots and make that No. 10 jersey his own, the playmaker sustained a calf injury against the Blues in preseason.
As reported earlier this week, Cameron will miss both of the Hurricanes’ two matches to start their season – which are both in Australia.
“It’s pretty frustrating timing obviously but it could be worse,” Cameron added.
“I’m in a pretty good spot at the moment where I’m hoping to get back and playing some sort of minutes at the end of next week, all going well.”
Rising star Ruben Love has also been ruled out with an injury, in what undoubtedly a cruel blow for the team.
The Hurricanes kick-off their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a trip across the Tasman, where they’ll take on the Queensland Reds in Townsville.
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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