The former England U18 star thriving after taking a chance in New Zealand

George Worboys has found an unlikely rugby home in Palmerston North. The former England Under-18 first five, who passed through the prestigious Bath Rugby Academy and played in the senior team with the British and Irish Lions ten Finn Russell, is thriving for Manawatu in the NPC.

After making a big impact from the bench in Manawatu’s improbable 36-35 comeback win against Southland on August 8, he started the next three games.

On Saturday, Worboys scored 23 points, kicking nine goals from nine attempts: five penalties and four conversions, as Manawatu snapped North Harbour’s three-game winning streak 43-40.

Worboys’ total points are the most by a Turbos player against North Harbour since Andre Taylor scored 27 in a 42-16 win in 2009. Worboys’ 23 points are the most by any Manawatu player in a single game since Brett Cameron scored 23 in a 38-27 win against Southland in 2021. His five penalties are the most since Cameron kicked six in a 39-21 win against Counties Manukau, also in 2021.

His cross-kick also directly led to a try for Mosese Bason while he made the first pass in a Kyle Brown try.

“It was great to close out one of those close games. We didn’t when we were up 27-12 against Otago,” Worboys told RugbyPass.

“In the NPC I’ve learned anything can happen. We have the players to hurt teams and win games. Belief is huge. When momentum is against you, small wins are important. When momentum switches, you have to capitalise.

“Against Otago we went into our shells. I use the England-Argentina World Cup semi-final as a comparison. You have to keep firing shots, back your skills and take your opportunities.

“The rugby here is much more free-flowing. That suits me. The idea that you can attack from anywhere is ingrained in New Zealand. It’s not that you must do that here. You play what you see, and that is really exciting.”

A freer style of rugby wasn’t the only thing that enticed the 25-year-old to the Turbos. He’d already enjoyed three previous stints in New Zealand with Inside Running Rugby Academy in Mount Maunganui and Summer in Christchurch. Worboys was after a greater sense of community.

Life can be lonely on the periphery of a powerhouse like Bath. Worboys only made 13 appearances in five seasons. A stint at Chinnor RFC was fruitful. Worboys scored 192 points in 16 appearances and helped the club win promotion from National League 1 to the Championship. While at Ealing Trailfinders, he won 17 of his 20 matches but never truly found his feet.

“Manawatu was really the main option. When I got chatting to coach Wes Clarke, that became clearer,” Worboys explained.

“Palmy doesn’t necessarily get the respect it deserves. Everything here has exceeded my expectations. Outside rugby, the time spent with the lads doing things like drinking coffee, playing golf, going to hospitals and being out in the community has been special.

“They’re only small things, but the connection with the community is huge and if we can build belief, support and momentum from that it really feels like we can do something special.”

In 2014, George’s younger brother Thomas ‘Toti’ Worboys died of leukaemia at age 11. George was 13. George and Toti were best mates. George laughed; he often caused havoc for his funny, angelic, innocent, fragile brother. One time he stood on Toti’s foot and broke it.  Another time, he karate-kicked him and broke the other foot. He also fell on him, breaking his femur.

When Toti shockingly passed, something good had to come from it. George’s parents, Nick and Amelia, established The Toti Worboys Fund. It has raised over £ 400,000 for childhood leukaemia research.

“When Toti died, it put things into perspective pretty quickly. You learn fast what matters,” Worboys said.

“The thing I’m most proud of with the charity is that I can see it’s making a tangible difference. It’s a smaller charity; the money doesn’t just go into a big pot and get distributed without us actually seeing it. I’ve been to the universities, seen them apply for special grants, met some of the people behind the research, and seen some of the impact it’s had. That’s a rewarding difference.

“When Wes gave me the chance to speak about it to the Manawatu group, I was very proud to be able to open up about my family. It was a hard thing to do, but it’s amazing how close you become with family and friends through a tough situation, and how you can turn it into something positive.”

Manawatu have lost their last 15 games away. Their most recent road victory was a 33-31 win over Auckland in 2023, their first on Eden Park since winning their only NPC title in 1980.

This weekend they travel to the Tauranga Domain to clash with Bay of Plenty, who are one of five teams in a three-win logjam on the table. Bay of Plenty beat Manawatu 55-19 last year and 68-14 in 2024.

“Bay of Plenty is a side that plays very direct and physical. We have to come out and match that and build on the belief we got last week,” Worboys said.

Manawatu last beat Bay of Plenty 17-15 in 2018.