Southland's Liam Howley handed rugby lifeline with Jersey Reds in England

Sunday, 27 January 2019

Halfback Liam Howley playing for the Southland Stags in 2017.

Liam Howley has been handed a rugby lifeline in England and is determined not to 'mess it up'.

In 2015, during his first year out of Southland Boys' High School, Howley looked to be following a smooth path to the brights of professional rugby.

As a 19-year-old he had already played for the Southland Stags in New Zealand's top flight provincial competition, and was part of the Highlanders setup in a development type role.

Blow by blow during the next three years the halfback's promising career was reduced to largely being a club player.

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In 2016 he ruptured the ACL and MCL ligaments in his knee during a play fight with his mates.

The next year he also had the death of his mother Karen to deal with and by the end of 2017 he had fallen out of favour with the Stags decision makers as his form slumped.

Howley's next move was to Otago to try his luck, but the former schoolboy star came up short in his attempt to return to the provincial arena.

Naturally he wondered, 'where to next?'.

That was until he received a phone call from his agent late last month offering him that rugby lifeline.

The Jersey Reds club in England was interested in the Southlander and by January 3 he was on a plane.

He has signed with the Jersey Reds through to May 2020.

His transition from teenage star to struggling for an opportunity has Howley eager to make the most of his English stint.

'Things happened very quickly. I was on top of the world and then I was brought back to reality. I did love my time in the Stags and Highlanders, I learned a lot with rugby and about myself.

'I've been training really hard so I'm thankful I've been given this opportunity and I won't mess it up,' he said from England.

Howley qualifies as a local player in England given his mother Karen was born in the country. It made Howley an attractive prospect for Jersey given he did not take up an overseas player spot .

The Jersey Reds team play in the RFU Championship, which effectively is England's second tier domestic competition below the Premiership.

Howley's long-term target is to play in the Premiership.

He played his first game for Jersey last weekend against the Bedford Blues where he came off the bench.

'I didn't see a lot on minutes [against Bedford]. I was still adjusting to the calls and style. But it was really call atmosphere.

'We are playing London Irish this weekend so I'm hoping to get some time in that. It's a massive game, they are first and we are third.'

He said his new team mates were a 'good bunch of lads' which had made the settling in period for Howley that bit easier.

'My partner Emma is moving over in March, so it will help a lot coming from so far away.'

What about one day returning for a crack at playing for the Stags again?

'Honestly I love that place. [Southland] is home, so of course I would like to one day. In saying that hopefully my career over here goes for as long as possible.'