From roofing to rugby stardom! ššØ Meet Kyle Preston, the surprise sensation of the All Blacks who swapped ladders for line-outs, and never looked back. Just over a year ago, Preston was laying tiles as a qualified roofer while dreaming of a rugby career that seemed just out of reach. Fast forward to today, heās set to face England’s ‘A’ team in Bath, marking a meteoric rise for this unstoppable scrum-half.
In 2024, Prestonās standout performances in the National Provincial Championship with Wellington caught the eyes of the Crusaders. A blazing debut with a hat-trick was all it took for him to start making waves. Despite his success on the field, Kyle remained aware of rugby’s uncertainty, balancing his training with roofing gigs to secure his future. His hard work off the pitch eventually paid off with an international debut win over South Africa at Eden Park.
His journey has been a whirlwind. āItās hectic, but rewarding,ā Preston shared, reflecting on the extraordinary year. Now fully signed with the Crusaders, heās embracing the stability while considering life after rugby, envisioning running his own roofing business one day.
His ascent to the All Blacks came from unexpected opportunitiesāinjuries to fellow players meant his chance to shine. Though he acknowledges the twist of fate, heās always believed in his skills and knows he belongs on the international stage.
Preston’s tale is a testament to perseverance and grabbing opportunities. Keep an eye on him this weekendāheās on a thrilling path that all started with a passion for rugby and a lot of grit. šš #RugbyRisingStar #AllBlacks
š„ Check out some highlights of Kyle’s journey and see how far heās come! š