Eagles Entities: Michael Kingsbeer

When and where did you first play rugby?

I first played for Waikanae Under Fives and played my way through the grades there until I went to the mighty St Patricks College Silverstream.

What attracted you to the game?

I guess my Dad took me down to training (if you train at that age?) and to the game, and I was hooked since then and haven't stopped. It was hard though because it was only touch for the first three to four years and I grew up with older brothers and we would always play tackle so I got in a bit of trouble some Saturdays!

What other sports interested you as a youngster?

It was just rugby to start off with and then as I went to the mighty St Pats Stream there was every sport under the sun so I gave them all a crack apart from soccer. I was real keen on athletics, (hurdles, 100, 200, relay). Slowed up a bit since then though, haha!

And what is it about Hutt Old Boys Marist, that you're now playing for us instead of another club?

Just the fun in the club, a good bunch of guys and some good fun off the field too.

You've played overseas, and for Marist St Pats., tell us about those experiences, how much you learnt, developed etc.?

I first went over to Ireland in 2005 to Munster development and that was great training with Munster and in a professional environment. I played my club rugby for UCC (University College Cork) and we had a really good year.

And was that time as rewarding and enjoyable as with the Eagles?

I enjoyed it, but no, not as enjoyable.