Hunting for his new goal - Jordan McFarlane

Labourer Jordan McFarlane was in his happy place last weekend hunting pigs and deer for entry into the Tiniroto Easter Game Hunt.

“I love it, that’s why I came back to Wairoa,” says the 22-year-old former regional age group rugby player.

Jordan grew up between Wairoa and Gisborne. A stand-out prop and captain for Gisborne Boys’ High School’s First XV, he was scooped up into the Taranaki Bulls and Hurricanes rugby development squads.

Jordan played rugby at Taranaki age group and club level, but after a series of knee injuries he’s finally tapped out of rugby. Now, Jordan is concentrating on a happy work life balance with the aim of buying a house in Wairoa, making the odd appearance for Wairoa Athletic’s rugby team, and rolling out for the QRS-sponsored Wairoa Athletic football team.

The rugby stalwart’s pivot to football has been warmly welcomed by his uncles Jason Smith and Grant Young.

“I said to them I would only ever touch a soccer ball if it’s for Wairoa Athletic, and here I am.” As for the knee that kept popping out? “Well, it will either stay there or it won’t, and as long as I can still keep hunting, then it’s alright whatever happens.”

Jordan is working in QRS’s routine maintenance team helping fix local roads while moving quickly through initial qualifications. He has his chainsaw tickets and is now working towards his Class 2 and Wheel, Tracks and Rollers licenses so he can operate special vehicles on the road. 

10 April 2024

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