Shaun Treeby and the Lions looking forward to first home game

Above: Shaun Treeby playing against Otago last week. Photo credit: Caswell Images

A mark of a class player is how well those around them are playing.

That’s certainly the case with Shaun Treeby, who is more often than not the glue that holds backlines together, straightening the attack, making space for others and making the key tackles.

It’s no coincidence that his teams have won two bucqui Jubilee Cups and one Investec Super Rugby title in the past four years, while his season ending ankle injury this time last year was a significant blow to the Wellington Lions’ chances of regaining NPC Premiership status.

Since his first-class debut against Wairarapa Bush in 2009 - a Ranfurly Shield defence no less – the second five-eighth has played top level rugby alongside the likes of Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Charlie Ngatai, Ma’a Nonu and Matt Proctor whom he’ll partner with in the midfield again on Saturday against North Harbour.

To date in 2016 the Lions have played two games away from home, for a win (34-24 over Hawke’s Bay) and a loss (21-44 to Otago). Treeby explained that they’re looking forward to playing their first game at home this Saturday against North Harbour.

“We were happy with our start in Napier, but the second result against Otago wasn’t great, we got beaten up at ruck time and conceding those early turnovers and tries were a punch to the nose.

“But we’re definitely looking forward to coming back home and putting in a lot better performance against North Harbour.”

Treeby played 50 Super Rugby matches for the Highlanders after making his debut in 2011, but tore ligaments in his ankle when playing for the Lions last September against Tasman.

This year he slowly worked his way back to full fitness. He made his return via club rugby for Tawa at the end of April and played 14 matches including six consecutive games at the end as Tawa swept to club championship victory.

“I was out for just over eight months, which was a really challenging time for me. But it was nice to come back and start playing again for Tawa and put the club colours back on. It still took a couple of months of playing for Tawa for me to get it back normal again.”

Treeby said that winning the Jubilee Cup was great consolation after his setback.

“I think winning this Jubilee Cup was more rewarding than when we won it for the first time in 2013, because last time I only came back for the last three games. We also had to work hard after just scraping through to make the top eight and then rebounding after losing our first three games.

Treeby grew up nearby to Tawa’s home ground of Lyndhurst Park and he first donned the club’s colours as an 11-year old in 2000.

Great uncle Roy Roper was an All Black and also a midfielder. Roper played five Tests and played in the 3-0 series win over the British Lions in 1950 at centre.

He praised his teammates for this year’s championship win.

“It was awesome to see those younger players on fire.” One of these players was centre Pepesana Patafilo, who has just been named in the Wellington Development team. “Pepe played really well and he was great to play with and he is definitely a player of the future.”

There’s also a group of young players coming through in Wellington’s backline, such as Peter Umaga-Jensen, TJ Va’a, Pakai Turia and Wes Goosen who has had a taste of Super Rugby this year with the Hurricanes.

“I’m at the back of the bus now! They’re all good players that are coming through and the more games they play at the higher level the better they will get, so it’s exciting having them around.”

Treeby also played for the Hurricanes in 2016, on a short-term contract mid-year as injury cover. He played a non-competition game against the Rebels during the international break.

“This time last year I was thinking about going overseas, but obviously the injury changed things a bit, so I was happy to re-join the Lions. I just want to play well for Wellington over the next couple of months and see what happens.

“I’ve had a couple of goes at trying to win silverware with the Lions so a team goal is to win the Championship title this year and get ourselves back up there in the top division.”

This Lions’ match this Saturday against North Harbour at Westpac Stadium kicks off at 5.35pm. Treeby was a try-scorer in the 43-0 win when they last met in week two last year.