‘I’m just here to do my best for this team’ – Billy Proctor opens up on All Blacks selection talk
Hurricanes and All Blacks outside centre Billy Proctor.
Hurricanes star Billy Proctor has downplayed calls for him to be the All Blacks’ first choice outside centre and said his focus is solely on doing well for his club.
The 26-year-old missed the first eight matches of the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to an Achilles injury but has hit the ground running since making his return to action off the bench during his side’s 17-17 draw with the Western Force in Perth.
The Hurricanes delivered some indifferent performances and occupied eighth position in the Super Rugby Pacific standings ahead of that clash with the Force but have improved considerably since Proctor’s return to action.
They are now in fourth position in the table after claiming successive victories against the Brumbies, Chiefs, Highlanders and Reds.
In fine form for the Hurricanes
Proctor has been one of the Hurricanes’ star performers and is hoping to build on is spectacular form when they host Moana Pasifika in Wellington on Saturday.
“I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. It’s been what, four or five games now, finding my feet and feeling pretty good. Hopefully we can continue on the same track,” Proctor said.
“We’ve secured our spot in the play-offs and that’s all you can ask for at this stage of the season. At the start of the year it was my goal to be in the play-offs and that win cemented our spot there, so we’re stoked.”
Proctor made a try-scoring debut for the All Blacks in their 47-5 victory against Fiji in San Diego last year but had to bide his time behind Rieko Ioane as New Zealand’s first choice number 13.
He eventually made his second Test appearance against Japan in New Zealand’s 2024 year-end tour and repeated his try-scoring feat when he crossed the whitewash in a comfortable 64-19 win.
He is keen to add to his two All Blacks caps but despite being the in-form number 13 in New Zealand at the moment, he is not thinking of Test selection at the moment.
Fully focused on Hurricanes career
“I’m just here to do my best for this team. That’s all I can control and all I can worry about,” Proctor said.
“All the rest, I’ll let other people talk and do what they want with it.
“Getting a taste of [Test rugby] last year, it’s definitely where I want to be, in that environment and playing for the best team in New Zealand. But as I said my focus is on here.”
Hurricanes assistant coach Bryn Evans highlighted Proctor’s impact on the Wellington-based outfit and said his influence should not be underestimated.
“He brings experience, he brings a calmness in that back line,” Evans said.
“At times in Super Rugby the ball can be going all over the show and to have a guy that has that direction and can take that deep breath is awesome for us.”
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