Northampton Saints- Bruce Reihana

A piece produced for the Northampton Saints versus Leicester Tigers match day programme (April 2006), involving professional rugby player Bruce Reihana:

It is no secret that Saints are going through somewhat of a transitional phase this season. They have lost the likes of Matt Dawson and Nick Beal to Wasps and retirement respectively in recent years and with Paul Grayson and Budge Pountney moving into coaching roles, Saints have turned to a new set of leaders to build a fresh team around.

One of those players is Bruce Reihana, who this season has made the step from player to co-captain in one easy move. Reihana has been a leading light this season, having missed only one game and scoring eight tries, as well as taking the responsibilities as kicker.

He said: “It is a huge honour to be made captain. I didn’t expect it, but I am very proud.”

Reihana added: “I haven’t found it hard being made captain. I have always tried to lead in the way I play. I have tried to make the hard decisions by words as well as by actions. There are plenty of leaders like Carlos Spencer, Mark Robinson and Ben Cohen which makes my and Steve’s job a lot easier.

“I’m enjoying the extra responsibility-it is an exciting challenge.”

It is no surprise that Reihana has become a fans’ favourite since joining from Waikato in 2002. He has scored 30 tries for Northampton and scored more than 450 points, as well as picking up the Zurich Premiership Overseas Player of the Year, PRA Players’ Player and Saints Player of the Year awards at the end of the 2003/04 season and last year’s Try of the Year award. He celebrated his 100th game for the team against Newcastle last month, and is very proud of his achievements since moving from New Zealand. No wonder he decided to stay at Saints rather than return to Waikato, as he had planned.

“The feeling here at Northampton is amazing. The people, the stadium and the set up are fantastic.”

But has the atmosphere changed at all with his one time team-mate Paul Grayson coaching the team?

“Not at all. It was very good to be playing with someone I really respect. He has a great knowledge of the game and now to be coached by him is fantastic. He has been there and done it as a player, and even though he is young and starting out in coaching, he has a huge future ahead of him.”

It is obvious that Reihana is very happy at Franklin’s Gardens, and optimism is high for the future. He talks of a mentality and toughness in the side that was borne out of last year’s relegation battle. Hopefully, this can be used to find some real success at Northampton. But Bruce also realises that rugby is not the be-all and end-all, a fact that hit home when his brother passed away recently.

He said: “Losing my brother had made me realise that you never really know when your life is going to end. I now know that I should live each day to its fullest and don’t take anything for granted.”

Reihana’s enthusiasm for the game will be vital if Saints are to push for a GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP play-off semi-final, which is a realistic aim according to the flying Kiwi.

“My ambitions are to get three wins from the final three games. I want to keep my game to the highest level it can be, and help keep Saints going up the Premiership ladder.”

First in his sights are Leicester Tigers, who were the team he made his debut against in 2002, and who have already beaten Northampton twice this season. Reihana knows that Saints need to be on top of their form to beat their Midlands rival, but is confident a win is possible.

“It is always a hard battle against Leicester. There is huge rivalry between the two clubs, and both sides have a massive will to win. But we have trained really well this week, and worked hard. If we can take our chances we have a really good chance of winning.”

If Reihana does manage to lead the team to a famous victory, you can be sure to hear the “Bruce, Bruce, Bruce” chants going around Franklin’s Gardens-something that has become commonplace this season. Not since Harvey Thorneycroft has one player been singled out for the crowd’s singing practise, and Reihana is very thankful to the Saints’ faithful.

He said: “I’m very honoured to hear people chanting my name. It really does drive me on in a game. I want to play hard for the team and for the fans. It is a fantastic feeling in a game when the crowd are behind you. I’m overwhelmed.”

Let’s hope that name will be ringing around the ground tonight against Leicester.