Being part of a Hurricanes squad would not have consumed too many of Liam Mitchell’s thoughts during his formative years at Palmerston North Boys’ High School.
The rookie Hurricanes lock, who can also cover blindside flanker, said he did not take rugby all that seriously, preferring instead to play the game with his mates more at a social level.
Some rather straight words of advice from former Manawatu coach Jeremy Cotter changed that view, however, and it was soon apparent to many that Mitchell was more than useful at the sport.
The son of former Manawatu lock Alistair Mitchell, Liam played a senior season under his father’s guidance at Te Kawau before an opportunity arose to play a season at Spanish club Santboiana in Barcelona.
Simply put, it did him the world of good as he learnt the ground rules of being a semi professional player while conditioning himself to put on enough weight to ready him for the demands of first class rugby in New Zealand.
He returned to Manawatu, made his Turbos debut and progressed rapidly in two years to be selected in the 2019 Hurricanes squad.
“It’s fair to say I owe Jeremy (Cotter) a bit for telling me to pull my head in, that where it all started, really,” he said.
A newly realised golf hacker outside of rugby, and a more than accomplished tennis player, Mitchell’s focus has been more on his first Hurricanes pre season campaign under the summer sun.
“It’s been good, it’s really good to get to know the boys right from pre season. It’s everything I thought it would be.”
A Hurricanes supporter since he could remember, the 23-year-old made his debut against the Waratahs in the heat at Brookvale, impressing those unfamiliar with him with his work.
He backed that up against the Crusaders a week later and is now set to show his home fans what he can do in a Hurricanes jersey.
The Hurricanes will return to where it all began when they host the Brumbies in Palmerston North in their first Investec Super Rugby home match in 2019.The round three match will be played on Friday, March 1, 23 years to the day the Hurricanes played their first ever Super Rugby match back in 1996. Ticket sales are strong, don't miss out and secure your tickets now. Adults from $20, Kids from $11.50. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.