Quinten Strange still pinching himself at rapid rise
Tasman rookie Quinten Strange will be alongside three All Blacks locks at the Crusaders.
Quinten Strange doesn't need reminding that just two seasons ago he was attempting to help the Nelson College First XV rugby team secure the Crusaders region secondary schools Press Cup title.
He also doesn't need reminding that they lost to Christchurch Boys High School in the 2014 final.
But next season, just three years on, he'll be rubbing shoulders with All Blacks and hardened rugby vets following his selection in the Crusaders' squad for next year's Super Rugby competition.
The talented 20-year-old lock has also played for New Zealand Schools and New Zealand Under-20 teams over the last two years. So it's been a staggering rise for the young Collingwood export.
"It's all happened pretty quick. I was just thinking about that the other day and yeah, it just feels like yesterday that I was at Nelson College and going to First XV training so I'm just pleased with how quickly it's happened," Strange said.
Wednesday's Crusaders' team announcement didn't take him by surprise though.
"I actually found out before the season started. I just put it to the side and focused on Tasman and my job there," Strange said.
"I guess it sort of hit home to me me [on Wednesday] when it was announced and I was just bloody proud. It's always what I wanted to do and I'm pretty stoked and happy for my family."
Strange is one of six Tasman players named in the Crusaders' squad and will be joining All Blacks locks Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Scott Barrett as the locking options.
"It's a pretty good opportunity to learn isn't it? I grew up watching them, now you're training with them, so I'm just going to learn as much as I can and just try and push my way through the ranks.
"I guess I'll just be like an apprentice player and just learn what I can and develop myself so that when I do get my chance, I'm ready."
In a rugby sense, the 1.99m-tall, 112kg second rower's had to grow up fast in this his debut season for the Tasman Makos in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership.
With experienced lock Joe Wheeler headed to Japan and Alex Ainley breaking his hand in game one, Strange suddenly found himself as the team's No 1 starting lock.
"When Alex went down after the first game, I was sort of chucked in the deep end a bit there, but I just learned off the experienced players like Shane [Christie], and Alex was still around, so I had plenty of help.
"At times the pressure came on, but I guess it's how you deal with it as to whether you're successful or not.
"I found it actually a really enjoyable level of rugby. It was great because everyone just wants to have a go."
Strange said that the physicality wasn't a problem.
"With these new laws, it sort of took [the physicality] out of it a bit at the breakdown, but I didn't find it too bad. It did take a bit to get used to but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle."
Now with a full season of provincial rugby under his belt, Strange felt he was confident of taking the next big step.
"I'd like to think so, but you don't know until you're doing it. I'm just looking forward to the opportunity."
The Crusaders assemble in Christchurch on December 1, giving him a few weeks to get over the rigours of a demanding provincial campaign.
"I've just got to get my body right between now and then. I've actually come out [of the season] in not too bad nick so I'm not complaining."
As for Tasman's loss to Canterbury in the premiership final, Strange offered a predictable response.
"We were pretty gutted we couldn't get the result for the fans, and for the boys, but it was a good opportunity for us and it was probably a bit quicker than any other game we've played."
