PHOTO: CHIEFS RUGBY
Consistency and improvement are driving Tenika Willison during Super Rugby Aupiki.
The talented King Country rugby player has made her name in the shorter format of sevens for the Black Ferns Sevens side but has opted for a slight change in scenery to start this year.
Willison has put her sevens on hold to line up for the Chiefs Manawa in the current Super Rugby Aupiki season.
She intends to make every post a winner while she is in the Manawa set-up.
“I am not here to make up the numbers. I want to really make a difference in the Manawa camp and also help the team achieve their goals.
“It’s also a different challenge for me and one I am really excited to be involved with the team and get stuck in.”
Willison, usually a first-five or midfielder, is playing fullback for the Manawa and admitted it was something foreign to her.
“I played it once for Waikato in the Farah Palmer Cup a few seasons ago but otherwise I haven’t really played there. It will give me more space, which is exciting, and it’s also making me learn, so I am enjoying it. I do like the space.”
She starred there in pre-season for the Chiefs Manawa, showing her speed, offloading prowess and ability to beat defenders and was on-song in the 53-21 win over the Hurricanes Poua in the opening round of Super Rugby Aupiki.
Initially, Willison was going to continue playing sevens this season but was approached by a member of the coaching set-up about potentially lining up for the Chiefs Manawa.
“It was something I wanted to do but I hadn’t thought about doing it this quickly. I thought maybe in a couple of years’ time, however, I am pleased I have done it this year and am really enjoying the experience.”
“I get to play alongside one of my best friends, Kennedy Simon, who is also captain, and that means a lot as we haven’t played together much the past couple of years, so to get back on the park with her is special.”
As expected, their competition opener was a physical contest and it was exciting to play them first.
“I enjoyed playing against one of my sevens mates, Shakira Baker.”
Willison said the trainings are a lot more physical than in sevens.
“The body is coping. I wouldn’t say its 100 percent enjoying the trainings, but it is coping.
“I would love to bulk up but that is not priority at the moment. I am trying to stay sevens fit and with heading back to sevens after this competition, it is not really the right time.
“You are on your feet for so much longer. It’s definitely different and tougher but we have a cool medical team and trainers to look after us.”
Once the competition finishes, Willison is back into the groove with the sevens team and will hopefully be available for the final tournament of the season in France.
“At the moment the focus is Aupiki then sevens is the focus and if I am needed then we will go from there.”
As for later in the year, Willison isn’t sure,
She said it’s been great having Black Ferns in the competition to help “blood the new players” but also for their experience.
“Luka, Kenndy Simon, Arahia, Hazel Tubic, she’s one of our most underrated players. There’s so many people I can learn off. It’s a pretty cool bunch to be around.
“I wish the season was a little bit longer. Hopefully in the future we can incorporate the Australian teams into the competition. It would be fantastic for the sport.”
