Pendse breaks new ground for rugby

PUNE: Rugby player Hrishikesh Pendse started playing rugby when he was 17 and represented his country only a year later. He also became the first Indian to be invited to play in amateur rugby league in New Zealand. And now, he has the distinction of being the first Indian to be signed by Japan’s Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers in the Top League - premier league in Japan's domestic rugby structure.
"I need to start packing," said the 24-year-old Hrishikesh, who is in Auckland playing in an amateur league for the North Shore club."I have to reach Japan before Thursday. Right now the only thing on my mind is to reach there on time. Celebrations can wait for now."
The quick-talking loose forward has signed a one-year contract with the Steelers. The financial details of his contract are not known but he is assured of a job at Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers. His pre-season matches start in the first week of July.
"The day I set my eyes on him I knew, this guy was set for bigger things. Sometimes you see class and you know it," said Scott Pierce.
Pierce has been a world champion New Zealand player and captained Japan. He was instrumental in importing Hrishikesh's services to his Kiwi club North Shore.
Pierce was associated with India for 10 days before the Commonwealth Games. He first noticed Hrishikesh when the Indian squad travelled to New Zealand to Murray Mexted's International Rugby Academy before CWG last year. The team had an intensive three-week programme which culminated in matches against Manawatu and Hawkes Bay.
"I noticed that spark in him (Hrishikesh). You can't stand up against the All Blacks, even the amateurs, if you don't have the brains. You might be the strongest man in the world but against our defence you also need brain who can work overtime," explained Pierce, one of the most formidable and successful captains the game has known. "Hrishi is smart. He thinks on his feet, if he makes a mistake he learns from it. More importantly, he knows how to work around his shortcomings."
Watch Hrishikesh dodge, outrun and tackle defenders on his video CV and you know why Pierce is going gaga over the Indian lad. The effortlessness with which he manages to maintain his body's balance and move it past a wall of burly defenders is a quality only the very good possess. Hrishikesh has got that skill, thanks to his association with basketball, squash and judo.
"Judo taught me a lot about body balance. I can control my body better and use the opponents force against him during the game," he said.