Hoping my try is the first of many at the Galpharm

Oct 29 2007 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hoping my try is the first of many at the Galpharm

PAUL WHATUIRA today relived his try for New Zealand against Great Britain on Saturday and declared: “Let’s hope it’s the first of many at the Galpharm!”

The former Wests Tigers centre scored the second of the Kiwis’ three tries as they were beaten 20-14 by the Lions in the opening Gillette Fusion Test in front of a crowd of 16,522.

Losing was obviously a major disappointment for the new Giants centre.

But Whatuira is already relishing the two Tests that remain, and then a life at the Giants on the back of his try at his new ‘home’.

“It may not have been the most spectacular of my career, but they all count,” said the impressive three-quarter, who capitalised on a loose ball and got the nod of the video referee.

“And I’m just hoping that scoring the try is something of an omen.

“I was really excited about playing here, because it’s going to be my new home for the next couple of years, so I obviously hope the try is the first of many.

“It’s just a shame that we couldn’t go on to win the game, but unfortunately we didn’t quite manage to do it in the end.”

Whatuira was definitely one of his side’s most accomplished performers.