Jamie Nutbrown signs a three-year deal with Bay of Plenty Rugby Union’s Steamers
Osprey’s scrum half Jamie Nutbrown has signed a three year deal with the Bay of the Plenty Rugby Union team Steamers to make his return back to the Southern Hemisphere. The Bay of Plenty coach Sean Horan confirmed the move on
Tuesday May 24.
Christchurch born Nutbrown has already represented the Bay of Plenty on the international stage in 2006 and 2008. He left the Bay of Penalty during the midst of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup to represent Ospreys in the Magners
League.
Since his signing with the Ospreys, Nutbrown has made 50 appearances for the Club and scored 20 points. He has represented the Ospreys in Heineken Cups, Magners League and in Anglo Welsh Cup matches.
Sean Horan has welcomed the signing of Nutbrown and termed him a quality player. He further added, "We are delighted to have Jamie back in the Steamers ranks after three years of playing top level rugby in the northern hemisphere.”
Horan has expressed hope that Nutbrown will bring new insights to the Bay of Plenty’s game after having playing with some of the best teams and players in more competitive leagues. He said, “While he was a valuable member of the Steamers prior to his departure
overseas, we know that Jamie will bring a fresh perspective to his game after the rigours of playing with and against the best in the northern hemisphere.”
Nutbrown is a St Bede’s College product and started his rugby career for Belfast Rugby Club at the age of five. He made his professional senior club debut for the Canterbury Crusaders in 2003. The 29-year-old Nutbrown joined
the Chiefs in 2006 and spent the remainder with them before signing with the Ospreys in August 2008.
He made his name in the Air New Zealand Cup as a formidable halfback and scrum half player. He has represented the All Blacks at the Under 19 Level in 2000 and followed it with a few appearances for New Zealand Colts in 2001
and 2002. Nutbrown is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 95 kg and was selected for the All Blacks seniors trial in 2005 and 2006 but wasn’t been able to get a place in the final squad.
Additionally, The Bay of Plenty has already signed the former Wallabies and Reds centre Steve Kefu in a bid to strengthen their squad to lift the cup later in the season.
Alongside his on-field performance Horan has hinted at giving the mentoring role to the Nutbrown. It’s expected that the Nutbrown will utilise his experience and learning to develop the skills of young halfbacks in the province. This will be a great way
for the player to give back to the younger players coming up in the game.
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