Adams on the Rampage

Jarrod Adams, along with his St Pat's Silverstram First XV teammate Losi Filipo, was today named in the New Zealand Barbarians squad to play matches against Australia Schools next Tuesday and Fiji Schools the following Saturday.

Adams has only being playing rugby for four years. In that short time Adams has amassed 53 games for Silverstream and scored 19 tries.? A half-century of games for Silverstream is a rare feat.

The bustling midfielder and wing says his older brother was the main reason he got into rugby.

"My brother Waylin was in the 2009 First XV. He used to give me grief about being soft because I like dancing. I wanted to prove him wrong. Watching Waylin lead the Haka was pretty inspirational too."

Jarrod Adams is a performer. He comes from a musical family and revels in front of an audience. Adams is a break dancer and has been since he was six; Adams explains what break dancing is.

"It's basically freestyle dancing to up-tempo beats. There is a lot of hip-hop and body movement."

What is the appeal?

"It's a real buzz to perform on stage. It gives me a lot of confidence. I enjoy expressing myself."

As a nine-year old Adams won a cash prize of $200 while performing in a competition against older adversaries. In 2013, Adams choreographed the winning dance at the "Bring it on Wellington" competition.

Break dancing is no teenage fad for Adams. He left the St Patrick's College, Silverstream First XV dinner early to attend a dance practice.? Adams was awarded the back of the year award.

Adams made his debut for Silverstream in 2011. He was Year 10 when he came on as a reserve against Wainuiomata High School; Adams recalls his first touch of the ball.

"Aviata Silago passed it to me and I ran 40-metres. I thought this is pretty easy."

Silago was Silverstream's leading point's scorer for two years. He won a Jubilee Cup with Marist St Pat's in 2012 and now plays in France.

Adams was Silverstream's leading try scorer in 2012. He scored six tries in a young team that won the Premier One title, upsetting Wellington College 6-3 in the final. Adams played a vital role in two traditional triumphs. He scored a try in an 11-10 victory against Palmerston North Boys' High School - Silverstream's first win against Palmerston North in a decade. Adams also crossed in the 22-20 victory against St. Pats Town.

Adams says 2012 was a memorable season. "The odds were stacked against because we were so young. To get the results we achieved was awesome."

Awesome wasn't an adjective used by Silverstream's rector in describing the haircut that earned Adams his now distinctive nickname, ‘Rampage.' Adams explains the origins of ‘Rampage.'

"I came to school with a Mohawk and was sent home. Mr Tully wasn't pleased. All the boys started calling me Rampage after that because I was seen as a bit of a rebel. My hard running style also has a bit to do with it."

In 2013, Adams played 14 games and scored nine tries. He scored his only First XV hat-trick against Feilding High School and had a strong season for a side that won 15 out of 18 games. Adams was unlucky to miss out on representative selection.

Adams is of Maori decent. In 2013 he again faced the rector, this time over a large tattoo on his right arm.

"It's a cultural tattoo representing Tumatauenga who is the Maori God for battle. The tattoo is about personal pride and respect. I explained this to the rector and it was sweet."

Early in 2014, Adams wasn't sweet with lack of ball he was receiving so he moved into second-five and suddenly his form improved.

He scored four tries and created many others as he passed the milestone of 50 games for Silverstream and has earned selection for the New Zealand Barbarians.

Perhaps Adams' best game was against Scots College in the round robin of the Wellington competition. He made two key breaks which resulted in tries in a narrow 28-26 victory against the eventual joint-national champions.

Adams says it was hard to watch Scots progress to the National Top Four after beating them in the round-robin and losing the final on a last-minute penalty. However Adams credits Scots for playing "amazingly well."

Adams says the biggest thing he has learned about playing 50 games for Silverstream is respecting the jersey, Adams elaborates:

?"Wearing the jersey makes you a better person. You learn about the great people it represents and how nothing accept you best is good enough."

Adams has represented New Zealand at Under 17 and 19 levels in softball. He had intended to go to London next year, but following his selection for the Barbarians he has chosen to stay in New Zealand.

He hopes to play for Petone in 2015 and give professional rugby a crack.