Jordan Trainor lines up for his first game in the blue and white hoops of Auckland this weekend against Counties Manukau in Pukekohe.

He is one of three run-on debutants with a possible four more to come off the bench.

One might say it has been a long time coming after he starred at First XV level for St Peter’s College, establishing himself as one of the best goalkickers in the 1A competition.

That was in 2014. By the next season he was in Waikato, and played 11 times for the Mooloos, winning a Ranfurly Shield and representing the New Zealand Under 20s.

Now 21, he is a full Blues squad member and looms as an exciting prospect at the back in an Auckland team brimming with talent.

“I got the opportunity to come home, so it’s exciting to come back and play with some of the boys I played with (and against) at school,” says Trainor.

Captain Patrick Tuipulotu and wing Vince Aso are fellow St Peter’s old boys, though Trainor only played with the latter in First XV in 2012.

Trainor is looking forward to linking up with Aso and teenage rookie Caleb Clarke to form a potentially dangerous back three.

“Vince’s experience helps us and George (Moala) and Malakai (Fekitoa) in the centres really help us on D,” he says.

Trainor says the pre-season trip to Japan was a worthwhile exercise to hone the game plan and build team culture.

He has fitted in several games for his Ponsonby club this season and in fact had already debuted for Ponies last season when he was a Blues squad member.

“I always enjoy going back to play club rugby for Ponies, so I got a few games this year.”

He also made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues, off the bench in the June 2 win over the Queensland Reds in Apia. But, like many of the Auckland squad, he is not weary from too much rugby. On the contrary, he is fresh and ready to fire in the Mitre 10 Cup, starting with the Steelers in Saturday night’s Premiership clash.

“The boys are pretty excited for Saturday. We just need to put our hard work from training out on the field. Counties Manukau are always a tough team to play, so it should be a good game on their patch,” says Trainor. – Campbell Burnes