Kiwi-NRL Spotlight: Pompey Pedigree
As NZ Warriors gather quality depth in their roster, many wondered how Adam Pompey would fit in and that was brushed aside when Pompey recently re-signed for two more seasons. Three of Pompey's five seasons with Warriors were during the pandemic and that niggle saw Pompey play under numerous coaches while trying to establish himself as a consistent NRL player. No surprises then, that Pompey's best season comes with him being settled in Aotearoa.
Given that Pompey left Roosters ahead of the 2019 season as he battled homesickness, being settled in Aotearoa can't be overlooked for the hearty Tuakau product. While at Wesley College, Pompey was recruited by Roosters and joined a bunch of talented youngsters from Aotearoa who would fly to Sydney for SG Ball footy before returning home.
That's what happens when you are a supreme all-round athlete like Pompey. Pompey is one of the best first-fives to play for Wesley College 1st 15 and his time playing league for Wesley College saw him crack the National Secondary Schools Team in a lovely era for Wesley league. Pompey impressed in many sports as a youngster, from cricket to swimming and even won Wesley's 'Bomb Champion' in their 2015 swimming sports event.
Most of his Wesley mahi happened while playing for Roosters in Australia. Pompey played SG Ball in 2016 and even dabbled in Under 20s that year, before two years of consistent U20s footy in 2017 and 2018. Despite their immense investment in Aotearoa juniors which is more useful that the salary sombrero idea, Roosters end up losing many of these youngsters and Pompey's departure fits this theme.
Pompey played alongside Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (Northland) and Asu Kepaoa (Auckland) in his final stint of Roosters Jersey Flegg. Kepaoa was shuffled out of the Roosters as soon as a big name NRL player became available and Bentley-Hape is now in the Rabbitohs system. Pompey also played alonsigde Aussies Freddy Lussick who along with Ronald Volkman and Josh Curran, left Roosters to join Warriors.
Warriors didn't recruit Pompey heavily though and he arrived at Mt Smart on a train and trial contract. Pompey's sporting pedigree is elite and his rise through the Warriors system reflects his talent, as well as earning everything through hard mahi. That summer contract prior to the 2019 season soon became an NRL debut and he finished with five games in 2019.
Since then, Pompey has played 10+ games in four consecutive seasons and has already played the same number of games this season (19) as he did last year. Prior to the arrival of the two Andys at Warriors, Pompey earned opportunities through his ability to play centre and wing. Pompey is one of four Warriors to play 19 games this season and all of them have been as a starting centre.
Even if that centre bubble, Pompey has played both sides of the field for Warriors. The Pompey float and his quick hands were on display on the right edge earlier in the season before sliding to the left edge in the last few months. Pompey's skillset shines in coach Andrew Webster's system as he has a slick passing under pressure and can offload, both of which have helped Pompey double last year's try assist tally.
Pompey had seven try assists in his first four seasons, led by four try assists last year. This season, Pompey already has eight try assists. Pompey has avearged 100+ metres in four of his five seasons and hovers around 86% tackling efficiency. Pompey's 43 missed tackles this season puts him second behind Jackson Ford (66), but nine Warriors average more missed tackles per game than Pompey's 2.26.
That includes Ford's 3.88 and Luke Metcalf's 2.5 missed tackles per game, both of whom defend on the left edge where Pompey has been stationed. Pompey's efficiency is all good and he is often mopping up for the lads inside him. Warriors concede 36% of their tries down the the left edge, which is higher than the middle (31%) and right (34%), but not enough to be a notable weakness.
Warriors are scoring 50% of their tries down the right edge and just 23% on the left. That is significant, although Pompey featured in that right edge earlier in the season and this will probably balance out when Warriors scout a different match up to target. Even then, Pompey has two try assists and three linebreaks in the last four games, all of which were down the left edge.
Where does Pompey fit in next season? Who cares, let's enjoy this season. It is important to note that Pompey, Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua all have immense versatility with skillful backgrounds in union. They can play any backline position and Pompey's 1st 15 mahi featured lots of kicking, providing greater scope to his potential development.
Right now, Pompey is a certified NRL centre. He is 24-years-old with 72 games of experience, most of which came during pandemic niggle. Pompey's journey combines fabulous natural pedigree with adversity battles as well as earning every opportunity with Warriors. Pompey is one of the few, if not the only Kiwi-NRL player from Tuakau and 'Wetere' is gathering his leadership mana as Warriors re-establish their turangawaewae.
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Peace and love.