Hearing firsthand from All Blacks great Aaron Smith was a fantastic learning experience for promising Southland rugby player Jacob Mika. 

The SBS Bank Academy Southland Leadership Year athlete was one of a handful of Southlanders included in a 30-strong Highlanders Schools Camp earlier this month. 

The group spent four days together, culminating in a game against a Crusaders Schools XV in Timaru. 

Jacob, a Year 13 student at James Hargest College, said advice from the Highlanders’ most-capped player and All Black centurion Smith resonated with the messages which he had been receiving during his two years with SBS Bank Academy Southland. 

“The main thing I learnt was how important planning is – for training, what you are going to be eating, everything. Aaron Smith came in to talk to us and we heard a lot about how important it is when you move out of home for the first time to have a plan for week to week, and to have your big goals as well.” 

The camp was run by Highlanders Talent Development Manager Kane Jury, with input from former Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler. 

Rising stars Sean Withy and Cameron Miller, two players who both got their starts in Southland, also spoke to the group about their experiences taking their first steps in professional rugby. 

“It was pretty cool. We were in the classroom learning about stuff on and off the field, we were in the gym a lot, chucking the ball around and going through our systems.  

“There was a lot of stuff, the nutrition stuff and mental skills stuff, that I’ve learnt through the Academy from Jason McKenzie and Aimee Hall, and also some more rugby specific stuff.” 

For Jacob, who will study law and commerce at Otago University next year, getting to meet and spend time with Otago-based players was a real bonus as he looks forward to playing rugby in Dunedin for the next few years. 

Jacob started the game on the right wing against the Crusaders and also ended the game on the field as an injury replacement, with the Crusaders running out a 29-15 winner. 

Article added: Thursday 21 October 2021