Otago gave Connor McLeod his shot.
Now he is part of the enemy.
The 24-year-old halfback will come off the bench for Hawke’s Bay in today’s Ranfurly Shield match in Napier.
McLeod spent four years studying a commerce degree in Dunedin.
During that time he played for University and eventually broke into the Otago team.
It was a time he remembered fondly, particularly in a rugby sense.
‘‘Otago gave me my first shot so I have big respect for them,’’ he said.
‘‘I wasn’t in any rep teams during high school. I started to push on down there.
‘‘But definitely I’m born and bred Hawke’s Bay. My old man [Ross McLeod] played for them and my uncle played a few games.
‘‘I used to watch them all the time, used to get down real early and watch them warm up.
‘‘I’ve got real good memories down in Otago, but I’m a Hawke’s Bay boy, definitely.’’
McLeod was enjoying being home and was now working as an adviser in medical insurance through the winter.
He was looking forward to the Shield defence against Otago.
He liked the open style of rugby Otago played and had played a lot of rugby with University players Josh Hill, Josh Dickson and Ricky Jackson.
While the team was coming off a first-up loss to Taranaki, McLeod said Hawke’s Bay had a good week at training.
Setting a solid platform would be key.
‘‘It starts up front,’’ he said.
‘‘You’ve probably heard that a million times, but I reckon it does.
‘‘We’ve got to be real good at set piece. Dominate up front and use our skills and speed and hopefully come out on top.’’
