Matt Proctor: young talent waiting in the wings.

Above: Matt Proctor bursting away on Sunday in Levin, playing for the Hurricanes Development XV against Junior Japan.

The young and talented Matt Proctor out of the Oriental-Rongotai club has always been one to watch, particularly during his college days at St Patrick's Town. His rise to professional rugby was imminent as soon as he left the doors of his former school.

Matt was a prominent figure in last season's ITM Cup for Wellington in his debut season. We saw glimpses of his extreme talent that left one thinking there is far more to come from this young winger.

After several interviews with Hurricanes backs coach, Alama Ieremia, Proctor looked set to be named in the 2013 Hurricanes Wider Squad as a result of his form and youth looking ahead.

"The selection came earlier than I expected, Alama ?had a few meetings with me and he said he was looking to bring me in."

It was clearly a long term dream of Matt's to play professional rugby, particularly for his beloved Hurricanes.

"It was a shock at the start. I've looked up to this team ever since I've been running around and I've always aspired to be a Hurricane."

The youth of the wider squad oozes with talent for the future and it seems important that there are several players in the same boat who have made similar progressions since leaving college rugby.

The likes of Eric Sione, TJ Perenara, Ope Peleseuma and Matt Proctor have all followed similar paths to be where they currently are. It's also important for Wellington rugby that this young talent is kept and looked after for years to come.

"There is a few of us which is good; it's important to have similar faces around training and at games who have been through the same stuff as you and we all get along really well since college days."

Naturally there are differences in Super Rugby to ITM Cup. Although Matt is yet to play for the Hurricanes in 2013 he is very much part of their plans and trains with the team.

He has recently been involved in the Hurricanes Development XV in the Pacific Rugby Cup, who won all four competition games, beating the Crusaders Knights 22-17, Tonga A 68-3, the Fiji Warriors 38-20 and Junior Japan 73-43. Matt played at centre against Junior Japan on Sunday, directly setting up a try for Peleusema and running strongly throughout.

"It is similar in terms of what we do but it's just the workload and on-field speed that makes it a step up and a lot harder."

Club rugby is also important to Proctor who is hoping to get a run with Ories this Saturday.

"I'm hoping to go and play for them this Saturday, I've been to some of their trainings and they are looking really good and it's always nice to go back and also give back where I can".

"It was my first club out of school and I appreciate what they've done for me".

Ories have had a win and a loss so far in the Swindale Shield, beating Rimutaka 50-7 and losing to Hutt Old Boys Marist 25-30. This weekend's third round match at home against Marist St Pat's is a replay of last year's Jubilee Cup Final, won by MSP. ?Matt scored Ories' try in the 8-14 loss in the televised Final last August.

Also a former athletics star at St Pat's Town, Matt has already made his mark in Sevens rugby for Wellington, while he represented the New Zealand U20s at last year's IRB Junior World Cup - being knocked out in the semi-final loss to South Africa. ?A big year for Matt was capped off n October when he won the Al Keown Memorial Cup for best performed Wellington Academy player at the end of season WRFU awards.

Former Ories coach, Phil Proctor, now coaching at Old Boys University, has always been a mentor for his son and Matt feels he owes a lot to his father for his successes so far.

"He has always been honest with me; if I have a bad game he tells me and helps me."

The most poignant point I got from my interview with Proctor was his patience. Although he can't wait to get a start in the yellow and black he is simply taking it as it comes week by week.

He is not getting ahead of himself and has ticked all the right boxes at all levels.

Matt Proctor is simply waiting on the wing.

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