Former Waimea Combined Schools rugby coach Shayne Huhu grew up playing rugby league and now his coaching career has gone full circle.
After five years guiding the Barbarians, Shayne has switched codes and is the new assistant coach for the Southern Zone 16s league side – the Scorpions.
“It is more of a personal development shift really. The Scorpions head coach Nathan Robinson is a mate and had been trying to get me across to rugby league for the last few years. I had been pushing him away but once I finally found out that I wasn’t with the Baabaas this year, I decided to give it a crack,” says Shayne, who played rugby league at Heretaunga College and for the Upper Hutt Tigers.
“I incredibly enjoyed my five years with the Baabaas and saw some great talent develop. Not just as players but into young men.”
His passion and communications skills played a big part in that development.
In his new role, Shayne is still keeping tabs on some of his former charges in the hope they will play league as well this year.
This season’s Nelson College 1st XV captain Rei Pouri-Lane played for the Scorpions last year, along with sprinter Brad Kershaw who is still eligible this year.
“Once the rugby season is finished, we will try and get a couple of league teams going. There’s a lot of talent out there and we are waiting to see how we can get the likes of young NC player Viliami Holani involved this year.”
The Scorpions will be back in action next month, with the U16 and U18 sides competing at a South Island tournament.
“League used to be strong here and we are trying to bring it back up again, starting with the age grades. There is an U14 tournament in Tasman in October and we are also looking at developing U12’s and probably even U10s,” enthuses Shayne, who’s doubling as a coach and scout.
But he hasn’t given away rugby union completely, turning out for the Nelson Div 2 side where he has moved into the front row these days.
“I am getting a little bit older now so I pace myself and keep going. You have to play smart rugby when you get to my age,” declares the 49-year-old.
