Rugby: Old Golds giving Zampach new zeal

North Otago wing Greg Zampach at Logan Park in Dunedin yesterday - "I'm still fit and healthy and...
North Otago wing Greg Zampach at Logan Park in Dunedin yesterday - "I'm still fit and healthy and as long as I remain injury-free, I will keep playing." Photo by Jane Dawber.
The Old Golds have given new life to Greg Zampach, who is keen to continue playing rugby next year.

Zampach (34), a Dunedin tenancy manager, was recruited for the North Otago team for the Heartland competition by coach Barry Matthews and has scored six tries in seven games.

He made his debut on the wing for Otago in 2006 at the age of 30 and and played 11 games for the province in two seasons. He also played two games for the Highlanders in 2007.

"I'm still fit and healthy and as long as I remain injury-free, I will keep playing," Zampach said yesterday.

Injuries have stopped him from playing for Otago during the last three years and he jumped at the chance to play for North Otago.

"I like playing for North Otago. It's given me a good end to my season. There was not much after club rugby ended in July and I was still keen to play."

Zampach is a key member of the North Otago team for the Meads Cup semifinal against Mid Canterbury at Oamaru on Saturday.

North Otago lost to Mid Canterbury in the third game of the season but has been winning ever since.

Zampach had some doubts when first invited to play for North Otago.

"I ...wanted to fit in like a local. I was made very welcome and have tried to play with a lot of pride and dedication for the community."

There was a lot of support for the Old Golds in North Otago.

"We are excited and raring to go on Saturday. We want to go all the way to make the community feel good."

Zampach came to the Sports Institute of Otago from the St Bede's College First XV in 1995. He was dubbed "the hammer" for his ability to step on the gas and score tries from any part of the field.

Zampach was full of hope when he studied at the Sports Institute of Otago and played premier rugby for Taieri in 1995 and 1996. But his rugby progress was slowed by of a series of injuries for 10 years until he was selected for Otago in 2006.

He has had reconstructive surgery on his shoulders, a broken ankle and hamstring problems.

"You name it and I've had it," Zampach said.

But the setbacks had not deterred him from fulfilling his dream of playing first-class rugby.

"I never gave up hope. I always had faith in my ability," Zampach said.

"I knew that if I could get back to full fitness, I could show what I was made of."

He looked for inspiration to his teenage hero, Frank Bunce, who made a late start to his test career.

Zampach grew up on the West Coast and completed a commerce degree at the University of Otago. He married his wife, Candy, when a student and stayed in Dunedin.

Zampach comes from a sporting family. His father Joe played first-class rugby on the wing for Buller. His mother, Eileen, and sister, Trudi, both played netball for Buller.

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