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Colin Bourke - Source: Photosport -
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Colin Bourke: The second coming
Super 14 Profile: Colin Bourke
DOB: Oct 15 1984
Physical: 1.97 m and 112 kg
Team: Chiefs
Province: Bay of Plenty
Super 14 Matches: 2
Super 14 Tries: 0
After four years in the Super 14 wilderness blockbusting Bay of Plenty number eight Colin Bourke gets his second chance with the Chiefs.
Still just 24-years of age it seems that Colin Bourke has been around the New Zealand provincial scene for quite some time.
Well, in fact he has.
A prodigious talent fron Napier Boys High School, Bourke was plucked from the Magpies claws as a 20-year-old by Bay of Plenty.
That year as the Steamers went on a giant killing run, capturing the Ranfurly Shield and rampaging all the way to the NPC semi-finals, Bourke formed a formidable loose forward trio with Nili Latu and Wayne Ormond.
With enough pace to be a centre three-quarter and a number eight with power and presence Bourke justified his rave reviews and was rewarded with a Super 14 contract with the Highlanders in the 2005 season.
He however had limited opportunity on his southern sojourn and played only two games for the struggling Otago-based franchise and as Bay of Plenty went off the boil in the provincial arena, Bourke seemingly also lost a bit of steam.
In 2006 he spent a year playing rugby for Italian club Laquila but the following two years he was still clearly on the radar as he earned a spot in the Chiefs Wider Training Group.
But the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup season was a different story for Bourke and the Steamers.
Although they dipped out at the quarter-final stage, Bourke had a powerhouse season to be the form number eight of the competition.
He is a player that really stamps his authority on a contest and when Bourke is on the front foot, it seems his whole team is on the front foot.
The Chiefs obviously recognised this and rewarded him with a Super 14 contract and although he is squaring off with Sione Lauaki for the number eight duties, his superior fitness and speed could see him more suited to the Chiefs style.
The second coming of Colin Bourke has arrived and he is certainly one to keep an eye on.
14 Quick Questions with Colin Bourke
Who was your favourite rugby player when you were growing
up?
Zinzan Brooke
What is the best thing about being a Chiefs player?
Friendships and travel
What will it take to win the 2009 Super 14 Championship?
Team culture, commitment, determination
Who is your favourite Chiefs team mate?
50 a.k.a David Bason or 40 a.k.a Culum Retallick
If I wasn't a rugby player I would be....?
Wroking for "Pulse Powerplates"
What is the most important part of your 'pre-game'
routine?
A good night's sleep.
Name your favourite non-rugby sports team.
Melbourne Storm
If you could have any three bands/artists for your own private
concert, who would they be?
Lady Gaga, 50 Cent and Billy T James
Out of any player in any Super 14 team, who would you least like
to step into a boxing ring with?
Toby Morland
What is your favourite rugby memory?
Winning the Ranfurly Shield with Bay of Plenty
What is your favourite meal?
Roast Lamb
Who is the hardest player to tackle?
Aled de Malmanche
Who has the biggest hit (tackle) in the Super 14?
Benson Stanley
What team in the Super 14 do you get the most pleasure out of
beating and why?
The Blues - because they are Aucklanders
