Marist putting faith in young talent
Teina Thompson, left, and Linton Laiseni have graduated from the 1st XV to the first division. Photo: Stephen Stuart.
Second cousins Linton Laiseni and Teina Thompson have brought their Nelson College form to Marist this season.
While Teina was a regular at No.8, Linton covered all three loose forward positions from the bench.
Teina is playing openside flanker this year and Linton is starting on the blindside and has played every minute of the first two matches, where Marist has posted 110 points. The 18-year-old was man of the match against Stoke last week.
“It is not as fast as schoolboy rugby, but it is more physical, and I am really enjoying it,” says the part-time teacher aid at Victory Primary School.”
“He has really developed. He is an intelligent footballer, when he makes a tackle, he finishes it,” enthuses Marist coach Nic Smith. “Linton is also a ball carrier and a lineout option. He and Teina are really important to the side. I played with Teina’s dad a long time ago.”
Halfback Wil Thornally is loving playing behind the cousins in a dominant pack.
“It is awesome getting the young boys from college. They are really crucial to our success. They have brought that college chemistry,” declares Wil. He’s capitalised with four tries already, two in each match.
“The pack is providing a great platform for us to launch in the backs. We are open minded to attack from anywhere whenever it is on. That’s working out for us at the moment,” says the accountant.
Top of the table Marist will put up the John Goodman Challenge Trophy and the Baz Leary and Frank Monopoli Cups in the match against the other unbeaten side, Waimea Old Boys, that kicks off at Trafalgar Park at 6.30pm on Thursday.
“Old Boys beat us twice last year, but we cleaned them up in pre-season. It will be a hell of a lot tougher tomorrow, but it is still a confidence boost,” says Nic.
He reckons the key to Marist’s early success is the camaraderie in the group.
“We have retained the nucleus of last year’s side. We have done a lot of work since October and created an environment where newcomers can turn up, be comfortable and express themselves.”