Meet Tom Hill

Tom Hill is a young man of 21 years who made his debut at prop forward for Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup, coming on as a replacement against Counties. A 1st XV player at Nelson College, he gained NZ Under-20’s selection for the 2015 Oceania Rugby Junior Championship on Australia's Gold Coast.

Congratulations on becoming Tasman Mako # 148 on Thursday night. You come to us via Nelson College and then club rugby in Christchurch. Tell us about your background and what brought you to Tasman.

I was born in Nelson, was a Stoke junior and went to Nelson College. I went down to Christchurch and played for the Lincoln University Rams (winning the premiership in 2015 alongside fellow Makos, Alex Nankivell and Caleb Makene). Playing for the Tasman Makos was always a childhood dream.

What you want to achieve in this Makos campaign?

I want to make the most of my time in the Makos environment, learn all I can and enjoy it.

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

I started playing when I was 6 years old and played in the backs to start with. I moved to the forwards as I got older and wider!

Who have been your biggest influences to become a better rugby player, and as a person?

For me it’s not just one person in rugby. I’ve had a lot of great coaches over the years, all of whom have helped me play the game. My family are my biggest influence off the field. They have supported me hugely over the years.

The Makos environment has always been welcoming. Who have you buddied up with in the squad?

There are quite a few jokers in the team that like to have a laugh. It’s great to be back playing with Mitchell Hunt as we played in the 1st XV together at Nelson College.

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

Brad Thorn has done it all and he’s still going.

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

Because of my dad’s work I lived in America up until I was five.