Tyrone Green believes the opportunity to learn from England veteran fullback Mike Brown will be of great benefit to him when he joins Harlequins, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
In a wide-ranging Zoom chat with SARugbymag.co.za, Green discussed his upcoming move from the Lions to Harlequins, positional preferences and his desire to play for the Springboks one day.
The talented 22-year-old is hoping to link up with the English club in July, and although that remains dependent on travel restrictions, he said he was excited to get his two-year contract started.
‘I think it will be a great journey, I think this was the best decision for my career. This move will enable me to stay the rugby player I am, but also take my game to the next level,’ Green commented. ‘For me, my age didn’t factor into the decision-making; I just feel like otherwise you limit yourself. Still being able to remain available to the Springboks was also a factor in favour of it,’ he added.
Harlequins were in seventh position on the Premiership table when rugby was brought to a halt, and Green said there were several factors about the ambitious club that appealed to him.
‘I think they play a similar type of rugby, attacking rugby, to what we play locally, which I think suits me. Then I think when it comes to the Premiership, and the technical and tactical aspect of how they have to play and adapt to the weather, that’s something that will help me improve my game.
‘Playing with the likes of Mike Brown will be really good for me too,’ he added. ‘He is a Test veteran, Harlequins’ most-capped player, and tactically and technically as a fullback I still have room to improve, which is something I can learn from him. When it comes to vision of the likes of Brown and Willie le Roux, these are also the things I want to work on, without losing who I am.
‘I think it will be a challenge in the Premiership, but that will force me to improve, and it’s something I’m looking forward to as I try to make myself a complete player.’
Although Green is heading over to England at a young age, he reiterated there was no intention to qualify for his adopted country.
‘The ultimate goal will also be to play for the Boks, I grew up wanting to play for the Springboks and that is not going to change. The fact you can still be selected when playing overseas was something that I kept in my mind when deciding to make the move.’
