Joel hints at bright future back in the capital

Above: Joel Hintz came off the bench last weekend for his Old Boys University Premier debut, five years after leaving St Pat's Silverstream for Lincoln and Canterbury. PHOTO: Mike Lewis Pictures.

Old Boys University already boasts considerable forward muscle with centurions Jonathan Fuimaono and Finnbarr Kerr-Newell anchoring the reigning Jubilee Cup champions scrum.

The Goats now boast even more power with the recent arrival of Joel Hintz for the last two months of the season.

The St Patrick's College, Silverstream old boy is back in the capital after three and half years in Canterbury.

"I decided to move home a month ago. I want to have a crack at making the Mitre 10 Cup [National Provincial Championship] squad and there's a bit of a log jam in Christchurch. I chose to go to OBU because it's a strong club with a similar culture to Lincoln," Hintz explains of his move.

It's 2015 and Lincoln is playing Christchurch Old Boys in the Division 1 Colts final. It's obvious then present All Black Jordie Barrett is going places, but it's Hintz who is the more pivotal figure in this game.

“I scored the winning try and was named MVP. 2015 is properly the most fun I’ve had playing rugby. It set up a lot of other opportunities,” Hintz fondly recalls.

On an academic scholarship (which settled first year fees) Hitz was promptly offered a rugby scholarship and fast-tracked into the all-conquering Lincoln Premiers.

Hintz helped Lincoln win consecutive Hawkins Shield titles. In 2016, a 34-year championship drought was broken.

“We beat New Brighton 49-12 in the final. Billy Harmon (Crusaders) made it easy for us after he was sent off,” Hintz laughs.

Repeat success would be much harder to come by.

“We beat Canterbury University 25-19. That was such a tough game. It went right down to the wire. On the last play their big lock Caleb Aperahama broke and only had our fullback to beat. I don’t know how Finn Hart-Strawbridge made the tackle he did,” Hintz recounts.

Lincoln is one the most prolific importers of talent in New Zealand. Aside from the large and wide player base what make the club click?

“I think we bring together the best things from all over New Zealand. Guys from Wellington play a bit differently than those from Canterbury. We managed to combine those differences together and make it work on and off the field,” Hintz acclaims.

Hintz won acclaim at the National Under-19 tournament in 2016. He scored a try in the Jock Hobbs Memorial Cup final won by Canterbury 41-35 over Waikato. Canterbury reversed a 3-21 deficit.

“That was a wild game. Waikato were really explosive. We had to hang in and take every chance we got,” Hintz refleclts

Canterbury overcame Taranaki and Auckland at the same tourney with Hintz later earning senior Canterbury Maori honours.

Hintz climbed further up the Canterbury representative tree in 2017 appearing for the NPC champions off the bench in pre-season Ranfurly Shield defences against Wanganui (71-5) and Mid Canterbury (69-7). What did further chances not arise?

“I was only a couple of injuries away from playing more often. I was advised of a couple of work on’s,” Hintz responds.

Rugby diligence has never been a problem for Hintz. Originally from Wairarapa College, Hintz played 49 games for the Silverstream First XV, winning a Premier I title in 2012 and being bestowed the rare distinction of co-captain as a Year 12 student.

Hintz isn’t the tallest prop around, but he's almost certainly the strongest. In 2014 the former boxer won the World Under-19 powerlifting championships in South Africa. The original event was to be staged in Kazakhstan, but was moved after the entire host team tested positive for steroids!

Hintz was a world record breaker at the event winning by 90kg. His lifts in each category were:

Squat: 260 kg (World Record)
Bench:160 kg
Deadlift: 250 kg
Combined: 670 (World Record)

Hintz made his debut for the Billy Goats on Saturday in their 40-22 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist featuring in the last 20 minutes. How will Hintz, one of 49 players employed by OBU this season, fit in?

“I’m just getting to know the boys, but I hope I can make an impact in the scrum and with my work ethic,” Hintz concludes.