Player Profile - Marco Kotze

MEET THE MAKO NEWBIES

This week we talk to our new South African lock forward Marco Kotze.

Congratulations on becoming Tasman Mako # 129. You come to us via South Africa and also the Queensland Reds. Tell us about that journey and how you ended up in NZ?

I left South Africa in 2013 having played Currie Cup to join the Brumbies under coach Jake White. When he left I then played for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship when we won the 2014 Final. I then joined the Queensland Reds for 2015 as one of their import quota.

At the end of the Super Rugby season my agent called to say Tasman was looking for a second rower. I came out for a pre-season trial against Otago and now here I am.

You started out as a winger who migrated to the back row and then the second row. You are a no-nonsense forward but do you ever get a chance to play like a flashy back occasionally?

I played on the wing until the age of 21, at Under 21 Currie Cup level. My coach at that time, Rudolph Straeuli, suggested I make a move into the loose forwards. I was a bit wary at first but quickly found out I loved playing in the forwards. I was never a flashy winger, a bit more direct, but those backs skills are very useful in today’s rugby game, and especially here at the Makos where forwards and backs inter-link so often.

At what age, where and at what position did you first play rugby?

I first played in Johannesburg at age 7 and I was picked as a fly-half!

Who was your biggest influence to become a better rugby player?

I had a terrific primary school coach, Deon van Zyl, who instilled in me a lot of discipline that rugby requires. Then Nick Stiles, my forwards coach at Queensland Reds taught me a great deal. Finally my wife Kelly is a really good influence for me, helping me with things about my game that I can work on.

Who has been your biggest influence on life away from the game?

My parents Del and Gemae have fully supported my brother and I to go out and achieve our dreams. And now of course my wife Kelly is a massive influence who keeps me grounded.

The Makos environment has always been welcoming. Is anyone pulling your leg yet?

The Makos team culture is unbelievable. Everyone puts in such a massive effort into everything that makes for a solid, tight knit group both on and off the field. As for pulling my leg, my Afrikaans accent leaves me wide open, and the best at mimicking me is Joey Wheeler.

Who have you buddied up with in the squad?

My fellow second rower Jeff Lepa took me under his wing early to find the best coffee brews, and we go to the same church. Tim Perry has really great chat, he is a very funny man. Squid Squires is always good for a yarn about pig hunting too.

Is there anyone in the team you look up to or most want to play like?

For style of play and his leadership I can’t go past Shane Christie. He reminds me of Springbok flanker Corne Krige in how he leads from the front and plays with real integrity.

Name any player in world rugby who you would most like to be like and why?

I’m a big fan of Ireland captain and second rower Paul O’Connell. He’s fearsome and just wants to dominate and be the best.

What is the one thing that people don’t know about you?

I love a good game of chess, and the planning and strategy that makes for a good game.