From injury to the Taranaki Bulls, Ratu makes squad

Will Johnston

Photo: Stratford-Eltham's Willem Ratu was a bolter in the Taranaki Bulls squad for the upcoming NPC. 

Breakthrough Stratford-Eltham outside back Willem Ratu’s season was nearly over after a shoulder injury last year.  

Eighteen months later, the 22-year-old was a bolter in Neil Barnes’ 33-man Taranaki squad selected for the upcoming National Provincial Championship (NPC), named on Monday.  

Ratu suffered the injury during a pre-season match against Southern. It was his first year in the Stratford-Eltham premier side and admits he was only operating at 20 per cent for the rest of the year.

Determined for it to recover fully, he started pre-season training earlier this year.

Ever since, the former Stratford High School first XV member has been a stand-out name in the CMK premier club rugby competition.

He’s carved through defenses to become the top try scorer during the regular season with 14 tries, alongside teammates Brendan Coupe and Eseroma Nabuka.

“Having so much success this season so far has given me a lot of confidence to push myself,” Ratu said, who’s nearly completed his electrical apprenticeship.  

“It’s definitely paid off as an individual as well, being able to get clean ball and play some good rugby.”

The success, that’s been put down to a positive culture and a “great bunch of lads,” has led Stratford-Eltham to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

When he got the phone call from Barnes, Ratu said it was a surreal feeling.  

“It’s going to be a big step up to what I’m used to, and I’m up for that challenge.”

He will relish being able to grow his game and learn from the experience in the squad, which includes Blues pair Stephen Perofeta and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in his position.

“I’m also looking forward to a change in lifestyle that I’m not use to which will be good and getting to know a new, good group of lads.”

He joins five other Stratford-Eltham reps in the side with Kyle Stewart, Scott Jury, Hemopo Cunningham, Adam Lennox and Vereniki Tikoisolomone also selected. 

A former New Zealand under 16 basketball rep, Ratu has had a taste of representative rugby after playing for the Taranaki Māori and development sides last year. He was the development team’s most promising player. In his earlier years, he represented Toko and Taranaki under 13.

For now, Ratu’s focus is on this weekend’s semi-final against Clifton at Victoria Park.

Taranaki plays in the Chiefs Cup on July 22, a pre-season match against Wellington in Manaia a week later, before their first NPC match against Counties Manukau at Yarrow Stadium on August 4.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls squad:

Reuben O’Neill, Jared Proffit, Kyle Stewart, Donald Brighouse, Michael Bent, Ricky Riccitelli, Bradley Slater, Mills Sanerivi, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Scott Jury, Kaylum Boshier, Tom Florence, Pita Gus Sowakula, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Michael Loft, Hemopo Cunningham, Logan Crowley, Adam Lennox, Liam Blyde, Jayson Potroz, Josh Jacomb, Teihorangi Walden, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Kini Naholo, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Willem Ratu, Stephen Perofeta, Matty McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i.