Jerry Yanuyanutawa
Prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa joins the Brumbies Academy in 2009 from Sydney University. Yanuyanutawa was a member of the Shute Shield-winning Sydney University side after scoring 10 tries during the season. His stellar 2008 season was rewarded with the front rower being selected as the only non-Investec Super 14 contracted player to make the Australia A squad for the Pacific Nations Cup. Brumby Jack caught up with Yanuyanutawa as the CA Brumbies gear up for the 2009 season.
Brumby Jack: How are you finding your first involvement in a full-time rugby program?
Jerry Yanuyanutawa: It’s been good. It’s been tough but enjoyable. It’s certainly not easy and there’s still a lot of hard work to be done but it’s been very enjoyable.
BJ: Have you set yourself any goals ahead of the 2009 season, given what Ben Alexander did on an Academy contract last year?
JY: Benny A’s become a world-class player and is a talented athlete. I think what he did last year was very special and if I get a similar opportunity this year I want to take it. If I could play one or two games that’d be great but the main thing is to keep learning.
BJ: Is there anything in particular that you’ve picked up as a front rower down here in the first few months?
JY: Yeah, don’t take your shirt off in front of everyone [laughs]. I’ve been lucky enough to be coached by two great front rowers in Trevor Woodman at Sydney Uni and Bill Young here at the Brumbies. I’ve learned a lot from both of them and they’re very similar in many ways but they’ve got a different perspective on a lot of things as well. With Youngy you get a lot of honest feedback and some great technical advice. But I’ve learned a lot from hanging around guys like [Nic] Henderson, [Guy] Shepherdson, Salesi [Ma’afu] and Benny A [Alexander].
BJ: For those people who may not have seen you play, how would you sum up your game?
JY: I like to get the ball in my hands and run. If there’s an opportunity to score a 20-metre try then I’ll back myself. Fijians are known for throwing the ball around a bit and I like that too. But I’m also learning the technical side with scrummaging and lifting [in lienouts] and learning to play within that team structure, but when I get out there I like to unleash and show what I’ve got.
BJ: You had a big season in 2008 as top try scorer for Sydney University. Were there any calls to have you disbarred from the Front Rowers Union as a result?
JY: Trevor Woodman said to me none of that counts if you can’t scrummage or lift and Youngy’s said the same thing. When I scored those tries my teammates in the front row were tearing into me about it but I think deep down they enjoyed every moment of it. I do the physical side of rugby but I do thrive in loose play and love to get my hands on the ball and run with it.
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