Q&A with Weller Hauraki

How was your first hit out of the season?

How does long term injury affect your mentality away from the pitch, and how do you remain focused?

Weller, have you noticed a big difference at the club in 2016 compared to previous seasons? It seems that since Tim Sheens has arrived on a permanent basis he has settled many of the off-field issues we witnessed in 2015.

HUGE thanks to Weller for answering these questions for us...


1) How was your first run out of the season?

First game back was pretty good played 30 something minutes so blew a few cobwebs out and it being our first challenge cup game was exciting as well.



2) How does long term injury affect your mentality away from the pitch, and how do you remain focused?

I don't think it affects you I think it does the complete opposite it test you mentally and physically I've had my fair share of injuries so I pretty much know how to go about things and keep grinding away to keep myself on the right track to get back on the field.



3) Is the dressing room a happier place this season?

I think it is We have a young squad and a lot of talent in the team everyone is willing to work for each other every week and we all want the same thing and that's to make the top 6.



4) How far do you think this team can go in the Challenge Cup?

We have made it through to the next round of the challenge cup after having a good win against hunslet and we played a really hound team as well and still had a good win we have drawn Cas at the jungle next round which will be a massive game always tough playing Cas at home but at this stage we will take it game by game and give everything we got.



5) Which of the Salford youngsters impresses you the most?

There's a couple young boys that are going well n training hard every week Ryan Lannon has been taking his chances lately when given a run and is always willing to learn off all the boys and I think he will be a awesome player years to come Jake Bibby had his first game for us and played really well he will be a player to watch in a few years to come as well.



6a) Have you noticed a big difference at the club in 2016 compared to previous seasons?

Obviously with the team we had last year we should've been in the top 8 but missed out and ended up playing in the middle 8s to stay in the super league this year we have a whole different squad again and we are playing really well sitting at 8th place we know we aren't to far off as a team and we will keep working hard for each other.

6b) It seems that since Tim Sheens has arrived on a permanent basis he has settled many of the off-field issues we witnessed in 2015? Sheenzy has been awesome for us always good to have someone with his experience in the club he has signed some good players and it's showing how we are playing at the moment he helps out the boys on improving there game every week.



7) What is Ian Watson like as a coach?

Watto is doing a great job for us at the moment he's passionate n knows what we all want and he is always helping us improve every week as a player and as a team.



8) Who is the best and worst trainer at the club?

Everyone works hard at the club we all have a goal and that's to be in the playoffs in a couple months so if we see any of the boys slacking we let them know about it and it's not the standards we want in the club.



9) I am sure you're contracted for 2017 at Salford, but have been told both Cas and Wakefield are interested in your services. Have you discussed your future beyond 2016 with the club at all?

I'm contracted with Salford for 2017 and have not decided from there onwards what my plans are in the future.



10) What are your plans when you retire from playing? Do you have ambitions to go in to coaching?

I have done a few courses over my time playing rugby league so I have a few options to look at when I move back to New Zealand but hoping I still have a few years of footy in me yet.


11) What's your best position?

I prefer Backrow on the edge but I'd be happy to play anywhere really as long as I'm playing.

Enjoyed that, cheers.