KING Country’s Levi Cressy-Baggott kicks a goal for Hamilton Marist earlier this year. Photo supplied
Levi Cressy-Baggott’s rugby season just keeps on going.
After winning the Waikato Colts competition with his Hamilton Marist side, Cressy-Baggott has been named in the University of Waikato Chiefs Heartland under-20 squad to play a couple of matches.
He is one of seven players named in the squad with links to the King Country Rugby Union.
The squad features 27 players from the Chiefs’ two Heartland provinces, King Country and Thames Valley.
Cressy-Baggott has been named as a player of origin having grown up in the King Country and although his family still resides there, he plays rugby in Hamilton.
The others with King Country affiliations are Topia Barrowcliffe, who is also a player of origin as he plays for Clifton in Taranaki; Bush United’s Zylar Hatu-Pratt; University of Waikato’s Patrick Hedley, who is also a player of origin having been raised in Te Kūiti; Phayzen Marshall, of Waitete Rugby Club; and Kio Kio’s Kees Muller.
Te Awamutu’s Sports premier player Taipari Quinn played for Ōtorohanga in the 2022 Waikato Premiership, so is known in the King Country region.
Cressy-Baggott said it was going to be an exciting few weeks.
“We head into a camp and play our first game on September 9.”
At the start of the rugby season, Cressy-Baggott set himself a goal of making a representative side of some sort and this one ticks both boxes.
“I wanted to make a rep team either in the Waikato or King Country, which is where I am from, and to make this Heartland side is cool because it represents both regions.”
They play Counties under-19 in Hauraki Plains on September 9 in what will be a challenging contest, before facing off against their Hurricanes counterparts six days later in Napier for the Glen Osborne Cup.
“I can’t wait to get in there and get stuck in.
“I just want to take it all in and hopefully play some good rugby.”
There’s players in the side Cressy-Baggott is excited about reconnecting with.
“It’s going to be good to get out there and play with some of the boys I haven’t played with in seven or eight years. I’m excited and just want to do my best.”
He is a talented first five that enjoys the added pressure of marshalling a side around the park and kicking goals when called upon; this helped him win the golden boot for Hamilton Marist with 179 points.
He said it was great to win his competition in Hamilton, but his focus was now on this up-coming opportunity.
The side identifies players who have the potential to play Super Rugby in years to come.
