'Nothing from up top': Billy Proctor staying patient after All Blacks XV tour
In September 2018, Billy Proctor created history when he signed a five-year deal with the Hurricanes.
At the time it was the longest contract a rookie had signed for a New Zealand Super Rugby franchise.
In 2023 Proctor was awarded Hurricanes Player of the Year. He amassed 850 minutes in a dozen appearances and carried on his stoic and clinical form with the All Blacks XV in Japan.
In the second match of the tour, he scored four tries in a 41-27 win over the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo.
“It was a few catches and put-downs,” Proctor humbly told RugbyPass.
“I’d never scored a hat-trick in my career so it was pretty cool to get four tries.
“Japan was a cool experience. It’s a very polite and interesting culture over there.
“It was 30 degrees every day which is a bit different to Wellington too.”
With All Blacks David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, and Jack Goodhue all suffering injuries this season, and Alex Nankivell bound for Munster, the hot form of Procter was timely.
Had he heard from the National selectors?
“There’s been nothing from up top. I’m just going about my business. Doing that, the other stuff will take care of itself,” Procter responded.
Understated, measured, and diligent are qualities that have made Procter enduringly appealing to coaches and teammates.
He flourished in Japan beside Stephen Perofeta and Jack Goodhue.
“Stephen’s awesome. Cool and claim. He knows what he’s doing, and can really light it up,” Proctor acclaimed.
“Jack is world-class. We were still learning from each other when the tour ended. It was awesome to be in that environment.”
Proctor has been in a professional rugby environment since he was a teenager. His brother Matt Proctor was previously a centre for the Hurricanes who made 66 appearances between 2013 and 2019 and was capped by the All Blacks in a 69-31 win against Japan in Toyko in 2019. TJ Perenara compared the two brothers in 2020.
“Billy is a lot like his brother. He’s very very good defensively. He understands defensive reads, offensive shifts, makes good calls defensively.
“Then offensively, he’s a big, strong kid who you put him in half a gap, he’ll take it.”
Little appears to have changed but Billy has definitely matured.
“That feels like a long time ago. I’ve pretty much learned everything I know about rugby and life at the Hurricanes. It’s a privilege to be in this environment. It has its ups and downs. You’ve got to work hard every day, look to build all the time.”
Billy has scored a dozen tries in 46 games for the Hurricanes and will shortly be a vital cog in the Wellington Lions defense of the NPC and Ranfurly Shield titles won in 2022. Proctor has featured 48 times for Wellington, including wins in 10 out of 11 appearances last year.
“That was a memorable one. It was pretty cool to be a part of a run championship. We definitely have what it takes to repeat. We will be building slowly before peaking at the end of the season hopefully.”
The Wellington Lions start their NPC campaign on Saturday in Palmerston North against Manawatu. All Blacks Asafo Aumua, Dominic Bird, and Julian Savea will likely be in the match-day squad.
Proctor re-signed with the Hurricanes for another two seasons.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments