By Stu Piddingon

Willie Wright's star turn for South Canterbury against West Coast shows hard work can pay off in the Heartland Championship.

The handy halfback scored three tries and had a the perfect day with the boot landing seven kicks for a personal haul of 28 points.

His effort set a new South Canterbury individual points scoring record in the Heartland Championship, surpassing Liam Edwards and was only four points off the all time record held by Graeme Dempster against Wairarapa Bush in 1996.  

DOUG FIELD/STUFF

Willie Wright is proud to play in 'green and black.'

It also lifted Wright to fifth on the individual points (69) scoring table behind leader, Buller's James Lash (99) and Wanganui's Craig Clare (89).

Wright is a player that was not always the coaches first choice over the years but given the opportunity has made the position his own.

The 25-year-old was first selected for South Canterbury in 2011, as a utility able to cover halfback and first five.

Kai Schwoerer

Willie Wright is having his best season for South Canterbury and is equally at home at first five or halfback but prefers the No.9 jersey

This year he has been the first choice halfback adding six caps to his previous 20.

Wright did however miss two Heartland Championship campaigns, opting to play rugby in Ireland instead.

He has however been a prolific points scorers in club rugby for Celtic and has been part of their record breaking run of nine club premierships in a row for five seasons.

Rugby is however not the only string to Wright's bow, as he also plays representative cricket for South Canterbury, including Hawke Cup matches.

Wright is an all-rounder, a wicket keeper who can bat a bit.

Wright's first played for South Canterbury when he came off the bench against Russia, in their build-up to the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

He has featured regularly in the squad since then when available.

Rugby also took Wright to Ireland, playing for Kilkenny in 2012 and 2013, where he met his wife Jess.

"I been pretty lucky with rugby, where its taken me and what I've done.

"With Kilkenny we were promoted from 2A to 1B, and also won the final of an Ireland knockout competition."

Last year for South Canterbury Wright started at halfback but then moved out to first five, but he prefers the nine jersey.

"I'm a bit more confident at halfback, I like bossing the forwards around." 

Wright also enjoys goal kicking.

"I don't mind it at all, it has ups and downs, but I like the pressure."

Wright admits being a goal kicker means you can also cop some flak on an off day.

"But I take that in my stride."

As for South Canterbury's turnaround to be a Meads Cup contenders over the past couple of seasons, Wright credits the coaching and support staff.

"Rat (Barry Matthews) has a lot to do with it and Macca (assistant coach Grant McFarlane) as well.

"We have always had the talent, just couldn't produce it on the park, and they have got the best out of us."

Wright said he really enjoys turning out in 'green and black' in the Heartland Championship.

"I love playing for South Canterbury. I want to win the the Meads Cup so bad."

The halfback said he would almost trade his five club titles with Celtic to hold it aloft.

"That is  the only thing missing, it would be fantastic."

Sitting at the top of the table, South Canterbury is likely to finish the season that way, with only two rounds left and an easier run into the finals than their nearest rivals.

Wright was product of Timaru Boys' High Schools and in 2009 was part of the South Canterbury Rugby Union's academy.

Head coach Matthews said Wright had some key elements to succeed.

"Willie is very competitive and doesn't like to to lose, he is a tough bugger.

"He is also very coachable and keen to learn, which is important."

Matthews said he and Wright had been working really hard on his front running and it paid off against West Coast.

"The three tries came from what we had been talking about so I was rapt for him."

South Canterbury Cricket chief executive Mark Medlicott said Wright showed many of the same traits playing cricket.

"Willie is a gutsy bugger to have in the team when the going gets tough."

Medlicott said Wright would have been the first choice keeper over the past last three seasons, but his availability has been intermittent.

"Something to do with rugby, I think."