BIG SEASON: Cortez Ratima will be a key figure for the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific Competition which gets under way this weekend. PHOTO: CHIEFS RUGBY
Last year was a big season for Aria’s Cortez Ratima.
The 22-year-old halfback had a blockbusting year for the Chiefs and with Waikato in the NPC before gaining selection in the All Black XV, which toured to the United Kingdom playing a couple of games.
“Getting the chance to represent my country is always an honour and heading to Ireland and the United Kingdom was a blast, playing at special grounds on the other side of the world,” he said.
“That tour was awesome to be part of; I had never been over there before so to experience something like that was great.”
He said it was a different style of rugby, played in different conditions.
“It was awesome to get that chance to play some new opponents and face a style of play I am not familiar with. I was happy with how I performed and getting more chances on tours like that is definitely the goal going forward.”
Ratima has been described by many rugby pundits as the next Tarawera Kerr-Barlow, who was also a Chiefs and Waikato halfback, for his robust and nuggety style of play.
To date, Ratima has donned the Chiefs colours on nine occasions and will be looking to add to that this season.
He said it had been good to have a break from the game over summer, to have some fun and relax. “It helped the body recover. You are always carrying niggles but that is part of professional sport. It was nice to refresh mentally.”
Ratima returned to action in the Chiefs first pre-season clash against Moana Pasifika.
“It was great to get back out there and dust off a bit of rust. It’s going to be an exciting season and I cannot wait for the Super Rugby season to start.
The All Blacks have the Rugby World Cup in France later this year and with the third halfback spot still up for grabs, a strong super rugby campaign could see Ratima thrust his name into the equation.
However, this possibility is not forefront of his mind.
“I am not thinking about anything like that. I just want to get consistent minutes for the Chiefs and help them play well,” he said. “They’re a great bunch of boys we have here, and our focus is doing well as a team.”
When Super Rugby finished last year, he turned out for Ōtorohanga in the Waikato Premier Club Rugby Competition and if is allowed to in 2023, admits that could be on the cards again.
“It’s always nice to go and don the blue and gold. I enjoy getting back to the King Country when I can, and if I am able to and allowed to play some club rugby then it could certainly be an option.”
“It’s great to come home and see mum and chill out. I am ready for the season and hopefully it’s a successful one.”
Mean-while, fellow Ōtoro-hanga Rugby Club players Mosese Dawai and women’s player Grace Houpapa-Barrett are also lining up in Super Rugby as is King Country’s Tenika Willison for the Highlanders and Chiefs Manawa respectively.
