From the amateur ranks through to professional rugby, I’ve found the help and advice of senior players vital. I can’t overstate the importance of the guys around me in helping me find my feet and make my way in the game.
The guys I’ve played with and been around have helped me become the man and player I am today.
My young career began in the ACT, where I moved to from New Zealand to play in the local competition.
Playing club rugby was awesome. I loved the experience I had with the Vikings in the Canberra club competition, there was such a strong club environment. The group of boys were passionate about getting a premiership and that’s what we went out and did.
I also got a chance with the Brumby Runners (the up and coming Brumbies outfit) in 2012. Guys like Fotu Auelua, Scott Sio and Christian Lealiifano were so good to me and I’ll always remember that time.
The transition from a club rugby player to professional is a tough one. The senior playing group at the Rebels had a lot of input. People like Gareth Delve and others helped me, giving advice and making sure I was on track.
A few of those senior guys have left and now the average age of the group is around 23-years-old. As a result, one of the big transition areas was learning to lead.
It’s not just about getting game time – although I’ve been striving for that – but among the younger group we’ve got now I’ve been trying to lead and hopefully earn the respect of others.
During the 2013 preseason at the Rebels I went on my first professional tour, to Hobart (that was actually Israel Folau’s first professional game too).
Sitting in a hotel room in Hobart, Jarrod Saffy came out of the shower and I remember sitting there and chatting about the process he goes through to get himself ready on game day. Scott Higginbotham was in the room too, and I live with him now. Both of those guys were so good that day. Just chilling.
One insight I took from them was the importance of a routine – something I didn’t have at the time. It’s important to appreciate the game mentally and do what I need to do to get right mentally, not just physically.
I learnt to write down my own checkpoints of preparation and follow them every time with 100 per cent accuracy. It helps me get into the right mental state to physically perform. I now use the same techniques on training day to get the best out of myself.
In my first hit-out as a professional, against the Cheetahs, my inspiration came from my late father. His final words to me before he passed were powerful. I won’t share them here, but I still use those words as inspiration to help me before the big moments in my career.
After thinking about those words, I went into the first game of my career knowing I was born for it and he was watching over me.
The Rebels leadership culture is so different this year. New coach ‘Dumper’ (Tony McGahan) has changed things. We have a whole new perspective – not just on-field but also in marketing and the people behind the scenes.
We are excited to do what we do and appreciate the Rebels family. That is especially important, because players have sacrificed and moved to play here, so we play for each other.
My aspiration is to earn the respect of my peers. I constantly work on it because I want to become a leader.
I’m a work in progress still and my aim this year is to really put myself out there and become a regular starter. I want to keep putting in performances I can be happy with and use 2013 as a stepping stone.
Pat Leafa plays hooker for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby
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