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Bradnock aims high with Manawatu |
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Written by Site Admin
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Thursday, 10 August 2006 |
 Flanker Josh Bradnock is one of the more experienced members of the Manawatu team, but the fact he came into the 2006 season with 27 appearances for the side typifies the rawness of the Palmerston North-based side.
The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the core members of the side which is looking to regain some of the missing stature for the province which was one of the leading sides in New Zealand just over 20 years ago.
A qualified engineer, he has been given the Air New Zealand Cup season off by his employer.
It is a situation that has allowed Bradnock to put his full emphasis on playing the game and preparing for it in a way that he has not been able to do before.
"I'm pretty lucky. I've got a very reasonable boss who has left my job open," he said.
The ultimate dream for him would be recognition in a Super 14 franchise, but for the moment he is focused on helping Manawatu make a significant impression in the new competition.
"You are always looking to do more with your game. It was a good test against Auckland, in our first game, to come up against an All Black loose trio.
"It was good to measure yourself against players of that quality," he said.
The first year back in the upper levels of domestic rugby was always going to be a tough order for the new tier of teams.
But Manawatu drew last year's provincial champion Auckland in the first match and then had the bye which gave it time to assess the changed circumstances it finds itself in.
"It has been a learning curve for us. A lot of us have never played first division.
"There were a lot of nerves but we were very excited about it.
"We thought we could compete although a lot of the public and media didn't think so. But we were not too surprised with how we did.
"We let in a couple of soft tries which was pretty disappointing," he said.
The concentration for the side, however, is to develop its own play and to attempt to control its own fate.
That will be the test this weekend when it takes on another of the minnows, Tasman, in Blenheim in what will be seen as a crucial game by both sides.
"It will be pretty tough. Tasman has a pretty strong side. But we will play our own game," he said.
Bradnock said Manawatu's strength was its forwards and if it can get stability from the set pieces then the exciting young backs the team has could be given some good ball.
The response to the team in and around Palmerston North has created something of a buzz and the players were starting to get an appreciation of the level of interest from the earlier era of success in the Manawatu game.
Building on that for the remainder of this season, and into the future, is the goal for Bradnock and the Manawatu side. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 August 2006 )
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