New position and whole new exciting experience for Jesse Pitman
Tasman winger Jesse Pitman is wrapped up by a Manawatu defender.
Jesse Pitman had never played on the wing until Friday.
Not that anyone would have noticed as Pitman enjoyed a successful debut outing for the Tasman Makos in their absorbing 24-14 pre-season rugby win over Manawatu at Trafalgar Park.
Pitman's been carving it up at fullback for the champion Wanderers club over the past two years - and to the tune of 23 club tries this season - so his selection in this year's Tasman national provincial championship squad wasn't a total surprise.
Originally a first five-eighth, Pitman admitted that he's had to come to grips with his new position pretty quickly.
"We've got a good bunch of boys, so they help out heaps. They just talked me through everything really," Pitman said after a satisfying debut performance.
"It was my first ever start on the wing so I was a bit, `do I stand here, do I stand here?'," he joked.
"[Fullback] Mitch Hunt was big for me today out back, so it was good."
While Pitman's been a key performer for both Wanderers and the Nelson Bays Griffins' winning efforts in recent years, he definitely noticed the step up in intensity against a near full-strength Manawatu side.
"It was fast. I haven't played since the [Nelson Bays club] final in three weeks, so I was cooked, my lungs were done.
A higher level of performance also meant adjusting to a whole new defensive depth perception, with defenders arriving 'In your face" much quicker than at club level.
"It's like, `okay, I've got to change something a bit here', but it's a good learning curve. It was enjoyable - and a good fast surface too, that's what I love.
"I tried to get involved. I said to the boys, `I don't know if I'm allowed to go off my wing that much, I don't know what the deal is', but it was good. So there's still lots to learn, but I'm enjoying every moment of it."
Pitman's Makos selection has been significant on another count. It's allowed him to finally join forces with his brother, midfielder Trael Joass, at first class level after Joass made his Makos debut last season.
They've both been key members of Wanderers' backline and now have the opportunity to take it up a notch.
"We're best mates, so it's awesome really and the family loves it."
Pitman's loving the new environment and is prepared to absorb as much information as he can.
"I've been asked what my goals are and I've just said, `to try and soak it up. If I'm on the field, I'll do my best and if I'm not, I'll try and help the boys to do their best."
He was keen to learn off players such as established Makos and Chiefs winger James Lowe and others like Hunt who he said had plenty to offer.
"I've been told I'll be playing wing, so if I get a chance, I'll try and take it with both hands. But it's exciting, it's a different challenge again.
"I was just learning fullback and now, here we go again."
