Eru Cooper Tahuri. Photo suppliedMid Canterbury rugby player Eru Cooper-Tahuri has achieved one of his big goals after pulling on the silver fern to represent New Zealand over the weekend.

The 18-year-old, who plays his club rugby in Ashburton for Celtic, was named as part of the New Zealand Maori Under-18 side that played two matches last week, one against the New Zealand Schools’ Barbarians and then the Tongan Schools’ side.

“It was a top level of rugby and a good experience, it was very hard and quite a challenge,” he said.

“We went there to prove ourselves and make our own statement and we did that by almost beating the Barbarians.”

When it came to the highlight of the time away, the answer was easy for Cooper-Tahuri.

“It was pulling on the jersey and representing New Zealand, and seeing that silver fern on my chest,” he said.

While rugby was a big focus on the trip, Cooper-Tahuri said there was also a lot of cultural learning involved with the time spent in the camp.

“We learnt all about our ancestry and the Maori Battalion and lots of little activities,” he said.

“There was a routine where we would get up early in the morning and go out and do prayers and stuff, and the same in the evening before bed.”

There were 25 players in the squad, all of whom formed a quick bond.

“There was a really good bond early on.

“It was awesome to meet so many people and still be in contact with them,” he said.

While play time was spread evenly over the two games, Cooper-Tahuri said he got more game time in the first match against the Barbarians, as it was a game they were really wanting to win.

“We were really wanting to win that Barbarians game to make a statement so some guys got more time than others,” he said.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 11 October 2017