Jason Woodward: From Rebel to Hurricane

Above: Jason Woodward on the burst for the Wellington Lions against Waikato in last year’s ITM Cup. Story by Jack Biggs. Photo credit: Dave Lintott.?

After an impressive season with the Melbourne Rebels, Jason Woodward is back on Wellington shores and is eager to pull on the Hurricanes jersey and fulfil a dream.

Rugby has been a constant for the talented fullback whose skills can see him cover multiple positions in a backline if needed. It is his one goal and passion in life since running out for Stokes Valley rugby club on frosty Saturday mornings as early as a four year old.

“Rugby has always been my passion and to be able to do that for a living is pretty special and I cherish ever moment I get on the rugby field.

?“I would go down and watch dad play, he’s always been my biggest supporter, and he played for Hutt Old Boys [since merged with Hutt Valley Marist, now Hutt Old Boys Marist] so me and my brothers would go down and ball-boy for them on Saturday afternoons.”

His early rugby career took off at college for St Pat’s Silverstream and he still revels in some of the highlights of his time there, touting them as some of the most enjoyable days of rugby.

?“We managed to beat Wellington College at Stream in a traditional and it’s those games that you take to the grave with you.

“I remember Ope Peleseuma giving me a cross-field kick which I caught in the corner and scored so to have Ope in the Hurricanes at the moment is pretty cool," Woodward said.

Ope, of course, has been in the Hurricanes fold himself for a couple of years and, whilst not a contracted player at present, has been training with the squad over summer.

All three Woodward brothers have donned the blue and white Silverstream hoops for the 1^st XV at varying stages; the younger two, Jared and Aidan, both making an impact from the locking and loose-forward department while Jason’s skills lie in the backline.

After a stint at Hartpury University in Gloucester during his College days, Jason was always keen to head back to Upper Hutt and follow his long-term dreams in rugby, the first step being a Lions call-up.

“It was an easy decision to come back to Upper Hutt and play with my mates but I wouldn’t go anywhere else now.

“I got a call to come up and start training with the Lions, I was working with my Dad that day and I remember sitting in the truck and getting the phone call and they’re the days you never forget.”

After impressing in the Jubilee Cup for Upper Hutt, Woody cemented himself regular starting time in the Lions set-up in 2011 – scoring a hat-trick in his ITM Cup debut against Taranaki. ?Also, notably, a selection into the New Zealand under 20’s alongside friend and former Upper Hutt teammate, Kayne Hammington.

Despite strong performances in the ITM cup, Jason was not offered a contract from the five NZ franchises, instead, gaining interest from the Melbourne-based Rebels side who wanted Woodward on the first flight over.

?“I definitely matured as a rugby player and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world I had some of the most enjoyable rugby playing over in Aussie and made a bunch of friends for life.

“To be with a rugby team for a whole year and different coaches coming in, there aren’t just forwards and backs coaches but loads of others from different walks of life and different experiences.”

Woodward clearly enjoyed his first taste of Super Rugby in a team that was enterprising and probably should have finished further up the ladder.

“There were a lot of games we should’ve won but you do take the individual positives out of the game but it still hurts, it’s never easy losing. It would’ve been nice to win but we learnt a lot that’s for sure.”

There was an itch still there to play in New Zealand and Jason had well and truly proved himself at the elite level. The Hurricanes came calling.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, to be in a team that I’ve supported my whole life, so to get that chance to play for them that’s awesome.

“I know the boys involved in the Lions campaign are pretty keen to get back out there and get some wins under our belt.

“It’s really good getting consistency with coaches like Boydy which was a big part of my decision to come back here.

“Plums [John Plumtree] is pretty full-on, his contact drills and defence is not too dissimilar to Richard Watt, so it’s good having him here and being able to pick his brain.”

The All Blacks have now come back into training and to have the opportunity to learn from veterans such as Conrad Smith, Cory Jane and Ma’a Nonu is something Woodward doesn’t hold lightly.

“To have a hand-full of All Blacks to come back is a pretty special thing and it’s going to be a pretty damaging backline this year.

“It’s a great bunch of guys from all over the country here.”

The opportunity to be back in Wellington has kick-started his long-term goal in rugby and the Hurricanes should give him the best chance at reaching his potential.

“Being a Kiwi the dream of being an All Black is never going to go away, that’s my big goal in rugby.

“This is probably the best chance I’ve had at winning a championship, so we’ve got to go out there and do some damage with the type of players that we’ve got.”

Away from the field you’ll find Jason at the golf course or studying for his Diploma in Aviation, the latter keeping him busy.

I think we can expect special things from the number 15 this season with an exciting backline of stars for him to work alongside.?