Scrum half Dan Babos is revelling in the ‘constant’ exposure to rugby during his overseas playing spell in New Zealand.
Babos and Dragons Academy team-mate Carwyn Penny have flown to the other side of the globe to represent Waikato-based Te Awamutu Sports as part of their development programme.
The 20-year-old has been lining up in the Waikato Premier Club Rugby and admits he enjoyed both the rugby mad culture and adapting to a new style of rugby overseas.
“Rugby over here is totally constant,” said the Wales Under-20 international.
“If you’re not playing or training you’ll be watching highlights throughout the week and rugby union or rugby league games on the weekend. It’s all the time, everywhere you turn.
“I’ve really enjoyed my stay here so far with the new team and team-mates.
“The club have helped us settle in and arranged various activities for us to do, like sightseeing around the area, so we can get used to the new surroundings.”
Babos follows in a long line of overseas players to represent Te Awamutu Sports, with Bruce Reihana, Jono Gibbes, Nicky Little and Ian Foster having all turned out for the club in the past.
And he believes experiencing a different style of rugby in Waikato will only benefit his game before he returns to training at Ystrad Mynach in late June.
“The one major difference I have found here is the speed of ball and offload out of tackles,” he said.
“There are many more line breaks and more chances to score more tries.
“It’s really good to experience something new and to try bring some elements back to the Dragons so I can really kick-on next season.”
If you’re not playing or training you’ll be watching highlights throughout the week and rugby union or rugby league games on the weekend. It’s all the time, everywhere you turn...
