Denyer putting best foot forward for Tawa and representative teams

Above: Jacob Denyer scores his try against Petone in round two. Photo: Jun Tanlayco

• By Adam Julian

The conviction shown by Jacob Denyer on the rugby field extends to his behavior off it.

The 20-year-old Tawa fullback, a Hurricanes Under-20 selection, maintains a full-time job as an administrator at the Te Rauparaha Arena. He’s the oldest sibling in his family by more than a decade, yet he still trains as hard as his more fancied colleagues at the Wellington Rugby Academy.

“At the start of each week, I organise a schedule. I take notes from other players, do my own study, and work rugby around life,” Deyner said.

Denyer runs in to score for the Hurricanes U20s against the Crusaders U20s in their match at NZCIS in early March. Photo: Andy McArthur. 

“I want to be a professional player. When I missed all of 2023, injured, I learned not to rush. I made friends with lawyers, doctors, nurses, artists, and people from outside the rugby bubble. In rugby, as in life, you can’t have tunnel vision. You have to adapt to the circumstances in front of you.”

Jacob was born when his mother Helen, was 19, the son of longtime Tawa 85s player Joseph Denyer.

Growing up with unusually young parents wasn’t without challenges. Jacob laughed; he still remembers when his parents “went out.” But it also instilled a rare initiative and exuberance in his personality.

“It felt more like friendship than family. That’s not to say I didn’t have responsibility, but it wasn’t until I had a younger sister that I developed that protective big brother thing,” Denyer said.

“I remember going to the rugby club and it being my happy place. I played rugby from the time I could walk. It always felt fun and natural for me.”

Denyer first caught the eye of representative selectors when he was picked for the Wellington Under-13s. Impressing as an “undersized” first-five in the Mana College First XV proved more challenging.

Mana was a Premiership school for the first time since the halcyon days of TJ Perenara. In 2021 they even beat Aotea College to capture the prestigious Beard Trophy, but the ambition of some teammates was ambivalent.

“We had all the talent in the world but the attitude of a president’s team,” Denyer complained.

“We’d get ten to practice, sometimes 15, and then on Saturday everyone would show.”

Denyer was eager to front every day, so in 2022 uprooted to St Patrick’s College, Silverstream.

“My job was easy. I caught the bus. My parents had to find the money,” Denyer said.

“Silverstream. That was a culture shock at first. I had to do religious studies every day. The rugby was so serious. You’re competing against 80 boys as skilled as you just to get a look in.”

Denyer moved to fullback and became a regular starter for the First XV. That season Silverstream won the Premiership smashing St Pat’s Town 28-14 at a sodden Jerry Collins Stadium in the final.

A gritty 16-12 win against Feilding High School followed leaving Silverstream a solitary win from their first appearance at the National Top Four.

“We lost on a draw, we still talk about it,” Denyer rued.

In the Hurricanes’ Regional final against Napier Boys’ High School, Denyer scored a 30-metre solo try a 17-17 tie. It wasn’t enough to prevent Napier from going through on the first try wins rule.

Denyer wasn’t going anywhere in 2023. He sustained his first serious injury while in Year 11. A stress fracture in his back hadn’t healed properly. He was forced to sit out an entire season.

“That was tough, man. My spine stretched like a rubber band. I’m a terrible spectator. I even found myself watching soccer. Injury brought perspective. There’s more to life than rugby.”

In 2024, Denyer was surprised by how quickly he was promoted to the Tawa Prems. He made a prompt impression, appearing in 14 games and scoring seven tries. One of those tries was in a 26-24 win over defending Jubilee Cup champions Oriental Rongotai in a semi-final.

“Playing behind our forward pack was awesome. Most of them are or have been professional players,” Denyer enthused. “The Jubilee Cup final is the biggest game I’ve played so far. It was so quick and intense. It hurt to lose, but there was nothing in it, and we’ll be back.

Tawa has started 2025 with two victories in their first three outings. In a replay of the Jubilee Cup final, the students (now 0-3) were stunned 38-36. George Risale scored a late winner after Deyner had dotted down earlier.

Petone narrowly had Tawa’s measure in round two, but Deyner thrived again, scoring a sizzling try with a right-foot side step and 30-metre sprint.

On Saturday, it was Old Timers’ Day at Lyndhurst Park. Tawa prevailed over Poneke 24-18. A late try-saving tackle by Denyer helped secure the hosts four points in an error-strewn spectacle.

“When I left the field against Petone, I was adamant we were the better side. Yes, they won and worked hard for it, but we left a lot of points out there,” Denyer said.

“We’ve lost some big names this year, especially Akira Ieremia and PJ Sheck. We can hang our heads high after our start. We’re getting better all the time.”

This afternoon Denyer will feature in the Hurricanes Hunters Development side fixture against the New Zealand U20s at midday at NZCIS.

Try time for Denyer in the Northwestern corner of Lyndhurst Park last year against Jonsonville.