Stronger Backbone Leads To Stronger Billy Goat

Sam Coventry blames "injuries to key players" as the main reason behind Old Boys University's exit from the Jubilee Cup before the semi-finals last year.

"It went down to the wire, but we just couldn't gel us a unit with all the personnel changes," he believes.

Already in 2017, Joe Beech, Joe Hill, Hugh Renton, Maile Koloto, Agustin Escalona, Wes Goosen, Alex Coventry and Reece Plumtree are among the players consigned to the sidelines with injuries or unavailable for selection.

The Billy Goats have scored two impressive wins to start the Swindale Shield, inculding an emphatic win over Jubilee Cup Champions Tawa on Saturday.

Did the Billy Goats became complacent in 2016? They won the Swindale Shield and extended a 2015 win streak of nine games to 19.

"I don't think so. It's only early days so nobody is getting carried away. It was a messy game against Tawa. We have a lot of things to work on, but I thought we did quite well in the set-pieces and at times built phases and created mis-matches out wide against their bigger forwards." Coventry says.

Coventry produced a man of the match performance playing on the blindside. His preference and more familiar position is openside. What distinguishes Coventry from the other loose forwards at the club who include the experienced Devon Candy, Tasman repTeariki Ben-Nicholas, New Zealand Schools rep Naera Tipoki, Hurricane Hugh Renton and prop turned No.8 Morgan Poi?

"Gee that's a tough question. I think I bring a good attitude, flare on attack and an aggressive mindset on defense. I do the best I can to soak up all the information from our coaches. The competition is good. It brings out the best in all of us." Coventry replied.

Coventry played Sevens for Tasman in the summer to further boost his game. He was a member of the South Island Sevens winning team, but unfortunately he is no stranger to injury. He has suffered concussion, missed most of 2015 with shoulder and knee complaints and has just returned from a four month absence following a dislocated finger.

"It's pretty frustrating, but I guess injuries are a part of the game. We have recruited some good players in the hope of building more depth. Dale Sabbaragh and Matt Goosen have come across from the Axemen, which is great because our goal kicking wasn't flash last year. We are trying to build a competitive squad with a strong culture." Coventry explains.

Coventry shifted from Nelson to Wellington in 2015 in pursuit of stronger rugby and to study design at Victoria University. He is a keen artist and earned selection for the Wellington Development XV last year playing alongside Isaac O'Connor who he ranks as his toughest opponent and "a decent bloke actually."

He spent two seasons in the Nelson College First XV and indentifies the drawn Quadrangular final against Wellington College in 2012 and the UC Championship semi-final against St. Bede's College in 2013 as the highlights.

"Both those games were historic. The Quad final was the highest scoring final ever in 80-odd years. We came from a long way behind to lead, but unfortunately couldn't win, but it was such a great game to be a part of. In 2013 we beat St. Bede's on their home ground. It was the first time they had lost in 62 games." Coventry recalls.

The Old Boys University Premiers host Johnsonville at Nairnville Park this Saturday, kick-off 2.45pm.