50 Caps for North Harbour captain Bryn Gatland

Do the mahi, get the treats.

The 2022 North Harbour NPC squad have been led by the hardworking and humble Bryn Gatland. Gatland is North Harbour’s primary firstfive-eighth and captain. After seven years with the union, seeing North Harbourpromoted from the championship in his firstyear with the team, he is finally set to tally up 50 games for his unionagainst the Bay of Plenty Steamers this Saturday 10th September. We caught up withBryn to reflect on how he got to this milestone, what game day will look likeand what the future holds for himself and North harbour.

Born in the tourist hotspot of Huntly,Waikato. Gatland moved around the world to Ireland in his early youth for fiveyears, before moving to England for a further three years, finally returninghome to the Waikato aged 10. This movement came with being the son of esteemedinternational coach and player Warren Gatland, who has been coaching in theBritish Isles at both the National and International level on and off since thelate 90s.

Gatland spent his teenage years inHamilton, New Zealand. He was already a promising rugby player from a young ageand had a variety of opportunities to attend some brilliant schools. In the endhe chose Hamilton Boys, “My old man (Warren) went to Hamilton Boys as well –there was a few schools I could have gone to but I was pretty keen to gothere.” In year 11 Gatland would join the school's 1st XV and go on to achievevery highly. “In my last year we ended up winning top 4 – played Saint Kents(Kentigern) in the final at home, they were 52 games unbeaten and were a bit ofa star team – it was pretty awesome to finish my last year with the team with atop 4 title.” Bryn’s boot would be the difference maker in this match, winning 12-10 with three penalties and a dropgoal to take the 2013 title. The team weren’t the most talented but theytrained relentlessly and put in the work, showing that hard work does pay off,a recurring theme in Gatland’s playing career so far. “I loved my time atHamilton Boys.”

Bryn started his NPC career with Waikato in2015 and would be capped once after spending a season competing with threeother first-fives for the 10 jersey. At aged 20 Gatland moved to North Harbourand the union would quickly become a second home for him. Game time was anissue in Waikato and Gatland needed playing minutes to develop his game, aresource North Harbour were more than happy to provide. “It was out of mycomfort zone, leaving Hamilton, moving up to the big smoke and taking a bit ofa chance, I think it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Gatland has not been short of inspirationin his career. Steve Jackson would be the fateful man that got him up to NorthHarbour, but it would be the return of Dan Halangahu that would have thebiggest impact on Gatland’s game. “He’s had a massive influence on my career asa player – he really pushed me to keep getting better as a 10.” Thisrelationship would eventually take Gatland to Super Rugby, currently he plays forthe Chiefs. Matt Duffie and James Parsons had a big influence in Gatland’searly days with North Harbour. In Super Rugby, Chiefs skippers Sam Cane andBrad Weber have had big influences on the first five.

Bryn Gatland is now working at the samespace as his father Warren. Bryn plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, while Warrenis the Chiefs director of rugby. Before this recent unification however Warrenhas always given Bryn the space to play the rugby he wants to, with mostconversations about Bryn’s game being typical father-son reflections after thematch. “It’s interesting, growing up he never coached any team I was involvedin – It’s where a lot of knowledge came from just sitting down, talking aboutit and watching games together, that’s been valuable for my development”.Commenting on Warren’s role with the Chiefs, Bryn notes “It was quite a relaxedrole for him – it let me focus on playing and dealing with the coaches – he waswith Wales and the Lions for a good 14 years so to have him back and to be ableto be around him a lot is quite nice.”

Bryn Gatland notes one of the most specialthings about playing for North Harbour is the team culture, going into the teamin 2016 he didn’t really know anyone. “We had created this culture and thisgroup that was special to be a part of, everyone got really close and we had agood coaching group.” The squad played with heart that year, finishing 4th inthe Championship, they would travel away to Wellington and Otago for thesemifinal and final respectively and cause huge upsets to get promoted into thePremiership. “The underdog mentality works really well for us – everyone whocomes and goes we try to get them to buy into this culture we built in that2016 year” Looking back Gatland said “I just love it here, going from notaffiliation with North Harbour in 2016 to now, playing my 50th game thisweekend and captaining the team – It’s a humbling and proud moment for me”

Looking at this season the ultimate goal isto win the title, Gatland has faced injury a couple years ago and a harshly cutseason last year due to Covid-19 in Auckland which have delayed this 50th game.“It’s just good to get time out in the middle –once I get my foot in the door and start controlling things I can havemore of an influence on the game – playing 80 minutes is massive for me, I canhave more of an influence on the full game.” Game time and hard work havealways been the two aspects of Gatland’s career he has focused on sinceschoolboy rugby. This year there’s only one title and Gatland is hunting forit. A personal goal of his is to become one of the most dominant 10s in theNPC, some might argue that he’s already there. Currently in the NPC, hisfavourite opposition is often the stronger sides that play with flair; he citesTasman, Auckland and Bay of Plenty as his favourite teams to play against. “Ifwe get it right and we click on it we can beat any team on the day.”

Being a first-five and a captain is aunique challenge. Last year, Gatland was meant to co-captain with number 8Murphy Taramai but this year he’s held the position by himself. “Being afirst-five you have the biggest say in how a team is run, you make the callswhen it comes to set-piece, you’re making a lot of decisions on the field, ifyou make poor decisions that can really affect the way the team goes, so whenyou add the captaincy on top of that, whether you’re taking three points, goingto the corner, taking the scrum from a penalty, the way you communicate withthe referee as well as talking to the players, there all things you need to tryto get the balance right.” Gatland notes it has been a real challenge but everyweek he’s improving and diligently delegates to his veteran players forsupport. “Ten is tough enough as it is – getting the right balances has beenkey but I really enjoy it so far and I’ve embraced the role.” He notes leadingby example is a key part of his captaincy, particularly on defence, “getting offthe line, putting your body on the line, no matter who it is running at you –you’re going to show through your actions, that’s how I show my love for thisteam and guys will follow.”

Going into the 50th, Gatland has showngreat humility, only wishing that it could have come sooner if not for injuryand Covid-19. He’s excited to have some family and friends head to NorthHarbour Stadium to watch him play. “I never need too much of a fuss made, It’sa nice milestone to tick off but it’s just another game that I want to performin.” Gatland’s looking forward to enjoying a few drinks with his friends,family and the boys.

He did let us in on his ideal aftermatchfeed, whether it’s a win or a hard fought game, he loves to have a burger orsome chops. When he’s not tearing up the field, Gatland describes an ideal Sunday as “Going for a hit of golf and I love to go surf, if it’s nice weatherI just like doing something outdoors.” Thank you for sharing part of your storywith everyone Bryn, I hope you get your greasy feed and a round of golf in withthe mates after what is sure to be an entertaining match of rugby thisSaturday. In Bryn Gatland’s words: “What do they say? Do the mahi, get thetreats.” This man has definitely done the mahi, and it’s now time for sometreats.

Mr Joseph Anthony Simpson - Communications Intern, 021 0817 5249, [email protected]

Ms Fynnola (Fifi) Campbell  - Marketing and Partnerships, 021 029 41442, [email protected]

Article added: 9th September 2022