Perseverance puts Mike on track for Rugby World Cup

PETER JONES

Manu Samoa and Moana Pasifika Michael Curry has a simple message for aspiring professional rugby players - “never give up”.

And the 29-year-old lock/loose forward is ideally-placed to share that sort of advice.

His path to the top of the international rugby tree has been long, bumpy and winding. Most top players have their ups and downs along the way, but Michael has had to negotiate a few seriously big hurdles, which have tested him both physically and mentally.

The former Nelson College student left secondary school intent on making his way into big-time rugby.

After coming back from a serious back injury in 2014, he entered senior ranks with the Spring Creek-based Moutere club, before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] in 2016. After a lengthy rehab he got back on the field the following year and was named in the Tasman Mako wider training group.

North Harbour’s NPC side, although the Auckland-area sides all had their seasons extinguished by Covid. He has just finished his second campaign with Moana Pasifika, becoming a regular starter and impressing with his skills and physicality during a disap-

“Coming from Samoa [at age 16] my Mum and Dad were more focussed on academic success, not sports. I didn’t want to go to university, so signed up for an aircraft engineering course at Woodbourne, which I never completed.”

With no academic credentials plus my partner at the time who kept pushing me through, especially in those dark injury times.

“When you are down in the dumps at home you need a small circle of people you trust around you.

“People say you should reach out when you are down, but I feel it is just as important to have a support network who reach in … who recognise when you need help. But ultimately, you have just got to keep turning up for yourself, because at the end of the day you have got to do it for yourself.”

In addition to forging his rugby career, Michael has been studying full-time for a finance degree at Massey University and is in his final year. He encourages others to pursue both rugby and academics simultaneously, “showcasing the possibilities of balancing sports and education”.

Michael described professional rugby as “a high-pressure job”, involving internal and external scrutiny which can be “pretty tough on young men”.

Netball Reps Go North

The Marlborough under-18 rep netball side picked up a couple of wins at the recent New Zealand championships in Hamilton. Up against 34 sides from throughout the country Marlborough finished in 24th position overall. They beat Rotorua 26-21 and Hamilton B 2924. The reps lost to Auckland 2 37-23, Kapiti 31-29, Christchurch Red 47-14, Northland 47-22, Manawatu 36-22 and Central Lakes 31-26.

In 2018 Michael made his Mako debut, playing eight games, including the NPC semifinal against Canterbury. He was signed for the following season but was forced to sit it out after suffering another debilitating injury, a rupture of the ACL in his other knee. Again, a lengthy rehab ensued, leaving Michael wondering if his professional rugby ambitions were misplaced. However, he persevered, and soon had his first professional contract, a deal with US-based club Colorado Raptors which he felt was a “stepping stone into professional rugby”. Then Covid intervened and ultimately Michael played only three matches for the Raptors, returning home disappointed as the sporting world shut down.

The light at the end of the tunnel brightened in 2021, Michael signing with Japanese club Toyota Shokki and playing a whole season. He was picked up in the Moana Pasifika squad during their inaugural Super Rugby season in 2022 and also signed with pointing season for the fledgling club. to his name, Mike decided to pursue a professional rugby career.

In 2022 Michael played twice for the nation of his birth, helping Samoa to the Pacific Nations Cup title, and was recently included in a 40-strong squad to prepare for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in France.

Although not assured of being in the final mix for France, Michael has his sights firmly set on making the cut, a selection which would complete a remarkable story of resilience and determination.

“The World Cup was never really a goal for me,” said Michael. “I have been a late bloomer … I didn’t start playing professionally until I was 23-24. To be honest, all I wanted to do was to be a professional player.

“I decided to put all my eggs in one basket and just try and go for it,” he says. As he prepares to take his place at rugby’s showpiece event, Michael reflects on the journey so far.

“Some people might have given up, but I believed in myself, always felt I was good enough to [become a professional player].

“Being the eldest of 10 children also added to the pressure ... I just had to keep going until I finally made it.”

He is grateful for the support he has received along the way.

“It is important to have people around you that pick you up and believe in you … such as Dave and Shelley McCormick,

“My advice to those [wanting to make a living out of playing rugby] would be, ‘never give up, just stick at it’ because you are probably a lot closer than you think you are to your goal.

“When you are young you often put players in front of you on this high pedestal, but when you get a chance to go up against them you soon realise you are there or thereabouts.”

While he fancies a stint in Europe one day, for now all Michael’s energy and focus is on making the plane to France. He departed NZ in late June for a five-week training and playing block in Samoa.

Warm-up games against Japan, Fiji and Tonga follow, before the cup squad heads to Europe for a final hit-out against Ireland.

Michael is up-beat about Manu Samoa’s prospects at the World Cup, suggesting a revamp in the coaching staff will pay dividends.

“The team selection is based on form, which is exciting … there is a really good feeling in the camp, so I can’t wait.”

For up to date session times and to buy tickets visit eventcinemas.co.nz

PRIVATE CINEMA HIRE PRIVATE SCREENINGS - BIRTHDAYS - SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMMESFUNDRAISERS - CONFERENCES FOR DETAILS CONTACT BLENHEIM_MANAGER@EVT.COM 4 KINROSS STREET, BLENHEIM 03 577 8273