‘Summer’ in Hautapu

Evan Cram – US rugby player

On the sideline: Evan and Christian Cram at Hautapu Rugby Club in Cambridge on Saturday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.

Evan Cram loves rugby so much he’s spending what would be his summer holidays in Atlanta playing down under for Hautapu.

The 17-year-old halfback made his debut for the Colts as a substitute in their 31-5 win over Varsity in Cambridge on Saturday.

The match was played in typical Waikato conditions, boggy field, biting wind and a scattering of rain adding to the atmosphere.

Evan arrived last week with his father Christian, an advisor for JP Morgan and head coach for Atlanta Youth Rugby.

Christian, who played rugby as a fullback in Europe, and Evan went to the Super Rugby final in Hamilton on Saturday night and saw the Chiefs lose to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final in Hamilton.

“We didn’t have a New Zealand team but now we’re lifetime Chiefs fans,” said Christian, who returned to Atlanta on Sunday to rejoin wife Wendy and daughter Elsa, leaving his son in Cambridge until the end of next month.

Why Hautapu? Christian is friends with former National Party candidate Jake Bezzant who was born and brought up in Cambridge and now lives and works in Atlanta.

“We were talking about Evan playing somewhere over the summer and we talked about South Africa but Jake said no way, got to be Hautapu,” said Christian.

He put him in touch with his parents Buzz and Angela who own the Instone Café and they in turn linked them up with club officials.

“Everyone’s been wonderful,” said Christian who watched on proudly as his son finally got a run.

“He might be number 22 today but he’s number one in our hearts.”

Evan has one more year in high school and will then explore which college he wants to attend in the US. There are several that offer rugby as an option.

His two month experience at Hautapu in Cambridge might well hold him in good stead.