Blair Prinsep loving his new assignment as part of Tasman's front row
Makos prop Blair Prinsep hits it up during a training session at Trafalgar Park
Ten weeks ago, Blair Prinsep had absolutely no clue that he'd be part of Tasman's starting lineup for round one of this year's national provincial championship.
No one did. But a couple of front row defections later, the Canterbury tighthead prop suddenly found himself on a fast track to a first class rugby contract.
Initially invited to play as a one-off in Tasman's pre-season fixture against Counties Manukau, the 21-year-old, 113kg front rower made enough of an impression for Tasman's coaching staff to prolong his stay and last Sunday in Blenheim, Prinsep made his first class debut in Tasman's 24-19 win over Waikato.
The former Christchurch Boys High School product was part of Canterbury's extended NPC squad last year but got no game time and played about 30 minutes for the Crusaders in their pre-season game against the Hurricanes in Ekatahuna this year.
But it was Tasman, not Canterbury, that ultimately came calling and now he's delighted to be part of the Makos' 2016 NPC campaign. And despite the inevitable shock associated with first class rugby debuts, Prinsep quickly found found himself engrossed in his debut experience.
"I loved every minute of it," Prinsep said.
"You're at a different level, you're on a different stage. I was happy defensively and with my set piece, but my attacking play, I thought I was a bit below par. There's definitely some improvement needed there.
"I think it was just a bit of nerves, being a bit jittery in my first game at NPC level. But hopefully the confidence will grow with experience and some [game] time. I was happy with how I scrummed and how I handled the big Waikato pack and how I was able to do my job."
He said that it wasn't just the on-field experience that he's had to come to terms with.
"There's definitely that extra physicality and a bit more speed to the game but I think the hardest part, the thing that catches people out, is the off-field stuff, the learning.
"I'm pretty happy with what I've learnt over the past three weeks and my game's grown little bits, but there's still heaps I want to learn. I'm happy I've got the opportunity here and am trying to do as much as I can to stay there."
There will be plenty of competition for Tasman's No 3 jersey this season and with the Highlanders duo of Siua Halanukonuka and Ross Geldenhuys also in the frame, Prinsep's simply hoping to absorb as much information as possible.
"I started out thinking this was going to be a really learning year for me, learning off the experience off Siua and Ross. They're two tighthead props and being able to take what they know and try and implement that in my game and hopefully extend my stay here with Tasman for as long as I can."
There's potentially another first in store for Prinsep as Tasman prepare for their second round clash with Canterbury in Christchurch on Sunday.
Depending on the respective team selections, there's a chance Prinsep could be squaring off against older brother Reed who played his 14th game for Canterbury on the flank in their huge first round win over Auckland.
"We've already had a discussion on the phone about [possibly] seeing each other on the field.
"This'll be the first time, hopefully, and am looking forward to [possibly] getting out there and playing in what is effectively my home province and showing them what I've learnt."
