Copyright walesonline
Kyle Preston made his All Blacks debut in the summer months and is set to face an England 'A' team this weekend in Bath - representing a remarkable ascent for a scrum-half who just 12 months prior had finished his apprenticeship to become a roofer. The 26-year-old excelled in a Wellington squad that secured victory in New Zealand's NPC Championship in 2024 with his performances there catching the attention of the Crusaders. Preston relocated south with his career gaining momentum following a debut hat-trick. However, in his mid-20s Preston remained realistic about the uncertainty of a professional rugby career and combined his Wellington training sessions and fixtures with pursuing a career as a roofer. This required early workouts and evening training sessions bookending days spent labouring on properties. Preston was even taking on additional work at the weekends yet he has progressed tremendously during a 12-month spell that culminated in his international debut during a victory over South Africa at Eden Park in September. Currently he is touring Europe with the All Blacks XV. He told the Mirror : "It has been very hectic, a lot going on. Like you said its almost like you don't have time to reflect, but there a period this summer after NPC where you look at the last year and it has been very rewarding and to do what I love as a job is awesome." It was back in March last year that Preston earned his qualification as a roofer. Before rugby truly flourished, the scrum-half was grafting Monday to Friday. The Crusaders star had always harboured ambitions of pursuing rugby professionally, but as time marched on, he found himself contemplating the reality that it might not materialise. He explained: "For me I'd kind of worked pretty hard since I was 11, 12 I wanted to make rugby my job but it took a lot longer than I thought so I wanted to get an apprenticeship. So straight out of school I had part-time jobs so I could train as much as I could but after a few years I hadn't cracked a professional gig so thought I better be good and do an apprenticeship." He's now got his contract with the Crusaders, which provide stability for the coming years. But unlike certain professions, Preston acknowledges he may not be able to simply return to roofing once his rugby career concludes. He revealed: "It is quite a tough job on the body so I could see myself starting my own company and being on the tools for a bit, but working my way off them, and just running the business." This year Preston has emerged as a brilliant illustration of seizing opportunities when they arise. His hat-trick on his Crusaders debut only materialised following an early injury setback. In September, he received his All Blacks call-up due to injuries to three players in his position. Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard among the sidelined trio which, lead to Finlay Christie being promoted for his first test start since July of the previous year against England, with Preston as his backup. He stated: "It is pretty s*** that it has to come from injuries but that's rugby and that's how it goes. I've always had the confidence and ability that I deserve to be at this level."
