Rugby: Former roofer Kyle Preston caps off meteoric rise with All Blacks call-up
Photo:
Photosport
Kyle Preston's inclusion in the
All Blacks Rugby Championship squad
has capped a meteoric rise for the Crusaders halfback who has no fear of scaling great heights.
The 25-year-old is a roofer by trade and only stopped last year to give his dream of becoming a professional rugby player a real crack.
Crusaders Kyle Preston during Super Rugby Pacific.
Photo:
Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The Tawa College product made his NPC debut for Wellington in 2023 before picking up his first Super Rugby gig with the Crusaders this year. Following a breakout year with the Super Rugby champions, he could possibly play his first test after being named in the All Blacks squad as injury cover.
"It's funny," Preston said.
"You don't really expect it (All Blacks call-up), but it's in the back of your mind if you're playing well. You hope to maybe see your name."
There's no doubt his form for the Crusaders is what got Preston selected, but for the Wellingtonian, the move to Christchurch wasn't necessarily natural.
"It was a massive call for me. I've never lived out of Wellington," Preston said.
"So to make the move down to Christchurch was a pretty big decision. Obviously I'm super glad that I made the move. It was good to just get out the comfort zone and be in a new environment, a new city.
"I really enjoyed it down there."
Preston believes playing in a title-winning team and behind a strong Crusaders forward pack helped his All Blacks cause.
"For sure. There's rich history in that club and a lot of good players down there. So to be able to get a chance to play for them helps with the exposure. I was probably getting a few more minutes than I would have if I stayed up here (Wellington)."
Kyle Preston playing for Wellington.
Photo:
www.photosport.nz
Preston, who has signed with the Crusaders to the end of the 2027 season, has a strong kicking game and he believes that is one of his points of difference.
"I kick off both feet and I think on the field it helps relieve a little bit of pressure through games. So, yeah, I guess that's an asset for me."
Another asset is his fitness. During pre-season, he set a Crusaders bronco record (a fitness test measuring endurance and speed) of 4 minutes and 13 seconds.
"I definitely do a little bit better in fitness test than some others. But rugby is completely different, fitness wise, than just running. So that's not all I'm going to be able to rely on."
His background as a roofer helped him develop a strong work ethic and the importance of keeping his body in shape.
"It's a cool trade," Preston said.
"I'm a man who likes to be up on the roof and and doing things actively. It is pretty tough on the body, though. Trying to juggle rugby and roofing was a bit tough."
Though it's a trade he'd be happy to go back to when he's done with rugby.
"Thankfully I was able to finish my apprenticeship at the start of last year before it all kind of kicked off (his professional rugby career) So I'll keep that in the back pocket for after the career."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Wallabies ditch law limiting selection of overseas based players
Will Skelton of the Wallabies in action against the British and Irish Lions. Photo: AAP / Photosport Rugby Australia has confirmed the rule restricting how many overseas based players Wallabies coaches can pick has been shelved. RA said the rule, often called 'Giteau's Law' after former Wallabies midfielder Matt Giteau, hasn't been enforced for some time. "Joe's (Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt) got no impediment to select whoever he wants. That's always been the case. The Giteau Law's kind of redundant," RA's director of high performance Peter Horne told reporters. Former Wallabies player Matt Giteau. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Despite the change of stance, Horne said Schmidt will give preference to Australian based players ahead of overseas based players if they were deemed the same quality. "But we've also made a choice that we select domestically if the players are of equal calibre, it's important that we invest in our premier competition in Australia." Players such as Wallabies lock Will Skelton, who has played for La Rochelle in France since 2020, is one player who would benefit from the scrapping of the rule. Australia didn't allow overseas-based players representing the Wallabies until 2015, but when players such as Giteau and others decided to head offshore for big money contracts, RA introduced 'Giteau's Law'. The rule meant a certain number of overseas players who had already spent much of their careers playing in Australia could still be selected for the Wallabies. That rule has now been scrapped. The Wallabies open their Rugby Championship campaign against the reigning champion Springboks at Ellis Park on 17 August.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Will O'Rourke ruled out of Zimbabwe test as injury list mounts
Will O'Rourke Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Black Caps pace bowler Will O'Rourke has been ruled out of the second cricket test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo with a back injury. Four uncapped bowlers are now in contention to make their test debuts when the second test starts on Thursday. O'Rourke experienced back stiffness on day three of the Black Caps nine-wicket victory last week after taking three for 28 from his 10 overs in the second innings. He departs Zimbabwe today and will undergo further medical assessment when he arrives back in New Zealand. Left-arm seamer Ben Lister Photo: Photosport Auckland Aces left-arm seamer Ben Lister, who was called in to provide additional pace-bowling cover, will remain with the squad for the test series. Two days ago pace-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith was ruled out of the remainder of the series with an abdominal injury. Zak Foulkes, who recently played in the T20I Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, was called into his first test squad to replace Smith, who recorded three for 20 in Zimbabwe's first innings. Captain Tom Latham also missed the opening test with a shoulder injury and it's not known yet if he will be available for the second test. Black Caps bowling coach Jacob Oram said they were being cautious with O'Rourke. "We are hopeful it's nothing too serious but when he's so important to our side for the next six to eight months but also next year with all the test cricket we have got some big tours we need to make sure we look after that big guy and ensure that it's okay," Oram said. Matt Fisher Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Foulkes and Lister could make their test debuts in the second match of the two-test series. Uncapped fast bowlers Jacob Duffy and Matt Fisher are also in contention. "There's a very good chance there's a debutant playing in the second test," Oram said. "It's also nice to see the fresh faces and from my perspective as the bowling coach, I know these guys have got the skills. I see it in the nets, I see their development and improvement and I can't wait to see whoever it is that gets that first cap, get out there and do their thing." The pace attack will be spearheaded by Matt Henry who grabbed a nine-wicket haul in the first test. Oram said Henry had solidified his place in the test team. "He had to bide his time behind [Neil] Wagner, [Tim] Southee, and [Trent] Boult a few years ago but now he's sort of the man in the side and I think he's really grasped that leadership role. "Not only in terms of providing input and experience for others but just his skills, he bowls an immaculate length and line, he's able to move the ball both ways, can bowl a bouncer at good pace. What more could you want, so he's doing really well at the moment." Oram said the challenge to the New Zealand bowlers in the second test will be how they can replicate their success in the opening match. "You can do it once but can you do it over and over again in a test series and that's a challenge in itself."
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Sports Chat for 6 August 2025
An update on what's happening in the sports world with Nathan Rarere. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
