Thursday, November 16, 2017
TOM Franklin, right, in action for the Maori All Blacks against the French Barbarians last weekend. Photo Getty Images
Ross McCullough
In spite of the Maori All Black’s shock loss to a French Barbarian side in Bordeaux on Saturday, there was a rare feat for Opotiki during the match,
Former Opotiki Tai Mitchell team-mates Tom Franklin and Sam Henwood packed down on the side of the scrum, with Franklin taking the blindside role and Henwood on the openside.
Maori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan told the Opotiki News it was a special feat.
“Sam and Tom have been a great part of the Maori All Blacks squad and they have represented their home town and province with great pride.
“I think Opotiki has a lot to celebrate when a small town can produce such great talent.”
The Maori All Blacks lost 15-19 to the French Barbarians, in a disappointing end to their two-match Northern Hemisphere tour. Henwood made his Maori All Black debut in the 51-9 win over Canada last week.
Franklin, who played at lock and blindside for the Bay of Plenty Steamers this season, has been called into the All Blacks training squad the past two seasons.
He has amassed more than 50 caps for Otago and the Highlanders, and was part of the New Zealand under-20 team that won a world championship in 2010.
The former Kings College first XV captain, who has played for Auckland and Counties, was three months into a second season with Portuguese side Tecnico. He also joined the Chiefs as injury cover last year.
Henwood’s father Tom said flanker was Sam’s preferred position, but he also played number 8 for Counties in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Earlier this month, Henwood was named in the Hurricanes team for next year’s Super Rugby season. Henwood said his son signing a Super Rugby contract with the ‘Canes and then a call-up to the Maori All Blacks, almost came “out of the blue.”
“Sam’s the youngest, and I always thought he might go further with his rugby. It’s good to see him doing really well.
“He’s now just starting to come right and playing some good rugby,” he said.
Rugby talent runs in the Henwood whanau as sons Tim and Matthew played representative rugby for both Bay of Plenty and Northland. Sister Kate played for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix this season.
His brother Matthew, who has hung up his boots, said Sam making the Maori All Blacks and securing a Super Rugby contract was a proud moment for all the family, with Sam’s hard work paying off.
A teacher like his father, now based in Gisborne, Matthew joked about Gisborne being in ‘Canes country, and said he wouldn’t mind the free gears from his younger brother.
Matthew also said his brother and Franklin playing together in the French Barbarian game was a big deal for Opotiki. The moment became a kind of reunion for them, he said.
Matthew said there were a lot of talented flankers in the country, who might be closer to All Blacks selection, and Sam was happy to have the opportunity to try and impress.
“Hopefully, it will all come about through him playing Super Rugby,” he said.