'Do get that frustration': Hurricanes recruit on rivalry with Richie Mo'unga

Everything doesn’t always go to plan in professional sport. Athletes at the top of their game want to challenge themselves, but can only do so when opportunities come their way.

After a challenging start to his professional career, Hurricanes recruit Brett Cameron has a golden opportunity to make his mark at Super Rugby level this season.

Cameron, who made his All Blacks debut in 2018, has previously trained and played under the tutelage of coach Scott Robertson at the Crusaders.

But opportunities to play under ‘Razor’ proved hard to come by.

After leading the Crusaders in 2021, Cameron left New Zealand for an opportunity overseas after failing to secure a contract with any of the Kiwi Super Rugby franchises.

The one-Test All Black plied his trade with Kamaishi Seawaves, before signing with the Hurricanes for the 2023 campaign.

But clearly, Cameron has had to travel a unique path in order to get to this point – his story is one of perseverance, determination and grit.

During his stint in Christchurch, the flyhalf was given “limited minutes” out on the field. Instead, Richie Mo’unga continued to steer the team to title after title.

“At the start it’s so good to have someone like that to shadow and sit behind and just learn off, which I really enjoyed,” Cameron told RugbyPass.

“But you do get that frustration as well of getting limited minutes and sort of tough to come by opportunities.

“Just had to look at the positives and I was still learning everyday down there and became awesome friends with Richie.

“Still learnt a lot but it’s good to be in a position now where hopefully I can use what I’ve learnt and play more footy.”

But Cameron will have to wait a little bit longer for his Hurricanes debut.

While the 26-year-old no doubt eager to lace up the boots and make that No. 10 jersey his own, the playmaker sustained a calf injury against the Blues in preseason.

As reported earlier this week, Cameron will miss both of the Hurricanes’ two matches to start their season – which are both in Australia.

“It’s pretty frustrating timing obviously but it could be worse,” Cameron added.

“I’m in a pretty good spot at the moment where I’m hoping to get back and playing some sort of minutes at the end of next week, all going well.”

Rising star Ruben Love has also been ruled out with an injury, in what undoubtedly a cruel blow for the team.

The Hurricanes kick-off their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a trip across the Tasman, where they’ll take on the Queensland Reds in Townsville.