Caleb Aperahama, 23, picked up the award at the Canterbury Rugby Union Awards last week after a standout campaign for Canterbury B which saw them win seven of their nine matches. Their only losses were both by less than three points to Auckland B and Tasman B.
The 198cm lock arrived in Christchurch in 2015 and was part of the Crusaders Academy for two years. However, he admits that partying in his early days while at Canterbury University – something no teenager can be frowned upon for – did have an effect on his rugby reputation.
“It wasn’t bettering my rugby, it was just detrimental to myself . . . I can’t say I regret it, but I did waste a lot of time. I guess it’s made me who I am now,” said Aperahama.
“I’m still trying to lose that tag of the guy that likes to p**s-up heaps and is there for the party, this year it’s changed a lot. I’m taking my footy really seriously.”
While in the past there may have been questions around Aperahama’s fitness levels, the same can’t be said now. He has played every minute of club and rep rugby this year other than a 10min period early in the season with Sydenham when he was yellow-carded after repeated infringements by the team.
Before being scouted by the Crusaders, Aperahama had a colossal sporting year at Tauranga Boys’ College. After suffering season-ending injuries early in year 11 and 12 he went onto be one of the country’s best first XV No 8s in 2014. The same year he was named the tournament MVP when he guided Tauranga Boys to a national secondary school volleyball championships. He also played at under-19 level for New Zealand in beach volleyball.
“When Canterbury comes knocking at the door you’ve got to answer that,” he said.
Aperahama believes a turning point came last year when a fire was lit in belly after being snubbed by Otago.
He had a brief spell playing club rugby in Dunedin with the hope of making Otago’s Mitre 10 Cup side. When it didn’t pan out he moved to Sydney for three months to play in their club competition – the Shute Shield. He then returned to Christchurch before playing for Buller in the Heartland Championship.
The journeyman-like year was then backed up by staying in Christchurch and working, rather than returning home to party with friends over the holiday period.
“That was a complete game changer. Going home and seeing all the mates, that just turns into beers at every opportunity,” he said.
Aperahama is about to graduate with a degree in sports coaching. He plans to take up an internship over the summer before returning to study physical education next year.
He also hopes another strong season with Sydenham can help him crack Canterbury’s Mitre 10 Cup side and realise his dream of playing professionally.
