Judd enjoying stint with Paremata-Plimmerton in Swindale Shield

After taking his opportunities with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, Bay of Plenty halfback Richard Judd is enjoying playing in Wellington’s Swindale Shield.

Richard Judd has played three games for Paremata-Plimmerton with his team coming out victorious on all three occasions, firstly against Johnsonville in round 3 (34-7), Wellington Axemen in round 9 (14-8) and then last weekend against Poneke (25-11).

It is the first time since Paremata-Plimmerton came into the Premier grade that they have won three games in the Swindale Shield competition. The win over the Axemen at Hataitai Park was their first win away from home since the start of the expanded 14-team first round competition.

The Bay of Plenty halfback says he is enjoying his time in Wellington and enjoying his opportunities with the Hurricanes.

“It’s quite a nice city, cause I’m from a small town anyway so it’s good to be in the mix”, Said Judd.

“There is a lot of things to do with the kids, take them to the Museum and wear them out a bit in the playground.

“I’m enjoying it down here, having the likes of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett and that, learning off them it’s been really good, really good environment, great coaching staff, and good lads as well”.

Outside of Rugby Richard Judd enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys fishing, and diving as well as being on the beach and going surfing from time to time.

Richard Judd started his rugby career in Thames Valley where he played three seasons with the swamp foxes in the Heartland Championship.

After that, he had a stint in England where he played for Old Elthamians before returning to New Zealand to play for Counties Manukau.

After limited opportunities with the Steelers, Richard Judd took up an opportunity to play for Bay of Plenty last year.

“Augustine Pulu was there [Counties Manukau] as well so I was behind him, I was sitting on the bench pretty much the whole time so I got an opportunity to go down to Bay of plenty”.

After being in the set up for the Blues and the Chiefs and then playing 10s for the Crusaders Richard Judd eventually made his way to the Hurricanes where he debuted against the Crusaders in March.

Last year Richard Judd received a rare opportunity to play for the Provincial Barbarians against the touring British and Irish Lions.

“It was really special, the best thing about it was we just got to play, we had a bit of structure but it was real baabaa’s rugby, you just go out and try to have fun you try to do that every week, They were big physical guys [the lions] but it wasn’t too hard to get up for that game”.

This year Richard Judd has been applying his trade for Paremata-Plimmerton in the Swindale Shield and says he is enjoying his time with the club.

“It’s been good, the guys in that team are good, there is so much tika so much heart, you go to a club and you say you’re going to bleed for the jersey but these guys actually live by that, it’s an awesome club and they are playing some good footy as well”.

This weekend he will likely play against former Wellington Lions half-back Tomasi Palu when Paremata-Plimmerton takes on table toppers Old Boy’s University at Ngati-Toa domain in the eleventh round of the Swindale Shield.