Source: Radio New Zealand
Haizyn Mellars hopes to make a piece of Warriors history during the next three years. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Sometime in the next three years – perhaps this year – Haizyn Mellars hopes to create a slice of NZ Warriors club history, when he follows his dad into the NRL.
Centre Vince Mellars chalked up seven first-grade appearances for the Auckland club across 2003/04, and 17 more from Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters, before a rugby stint with the Crusaders and Canterbury, and four more years with English league clubs.
Mellars Jnr was born during his father’s tenure at Mt Smart and brought the circle almost (but not quite) complete, when he signed with the Warriors through 2028.
While coach Andrew Webster is excited by his potential on the wing – a position exposed for depth last season – Mellars admits he could just as easily have followed in his mother’s sporting footsteps.
Charmian Mellars (formerly Purcell) comes from a proud Kiwi basketball family. She won Commonwealth Games silver at Melbourne 2006 and, along with sister Natalie, was a member of the Tall Ferns squad at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“When I was younger, basketball was definitely one of my biggest passions,” Mellars says. “I got to the age of 17, and I could have gone to college or NRL.
“My old lady and old man just backed me, whatever I chose, and I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps.
“I can tell you right now, I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without my parents. My mum and dad help me keep my head screwed on.
Haizyn Mellars’ parents – former Tall Fern Charmian Mellars and former Warrior Vince Mellars. Photosport
“When it comes to adversity and the things they’ve been through, they’ve always been in my corner. They’ve definitely been a rock for me in my journey.”
Growing up in Queensland, he began his league journey with Brisbane club Wynnum Manly, before joining the South Sydney NRL pathway.
The roundball path might have taken the 1.93m (6ft 4in) shooting guard through Utah’s Brigham Young University, the Mormon school where many of his uncles and aunties pursued their dreams.
With the league season approaching, Mellars insists he’s tried to avoid the basketball hoop beneath to the Mt Smart grandstand, but also hints he has taken down some of the hoops wannabes among his teammates and set his sights on the reigning king of the court.
“Roger will tell you he’s the best in the club,” he says.
Veterans Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak are the clear incumbents on the Warriors wings, so the hoops crown is not the only thing Mellars craves from his idol.
“I’ve grown up watching them boys play and couldn’t wait to do things like they do,” he says. “Roge is so professional – the way he conducts himself and obviously he’s been in the game a long time.
“Being able to watch what he does, even his little habits off the field… the way he looks after his body and preps for training.
“Dallin’s been really good, like a big brother, asking me questions and what I think of things, and telling me where I could be better.”
The Warriors have never had a father and son play first grade, but they potentially have two in the pipeline, with development halfback Jett Cleary following in the footsteps of dad Ivan, who played in one grand final and coached another at the club.
The Clearys probably have their noses ahead in that race.
When Lorina Papali’i became a foundation of the Warriors women’s programme, she achieved a mother-son milestone with 63-game second-rower Isaiah, while last season, teenager Ivana Lauitiiti scored on debut to emulate father and club legend Ali 27 years earlier.
Haizyn Mellars has identified Roger Tuivasa-Sheck as the Warriors’ king of the basketball court. Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Returning to his birthplace seems a relatively simple decision for Mellars.
“Being home was a big factor for me,” he says. “I have a lot of connection to my culture here.
“Growing up, the Warriors were one of my favourite teams, so coming back here was awesome.
“Webby was also a big factor for me. My dad always said go to a place where you want to play for the coach and I want to play for Webby.
“For me, he was not just inviting, but instilled that belief in my potential. I liked the way he was person before player, and was really interested in getting to know who I am and what I’m about, before what I can do on the field.”
Fully completing the family circle is still some way off. Without a single NRL game to his name, Mellars has been recruited on promise, and presumably still finds himself behind back-up fullback Taine Tuaupiki and former tryscoring champion Alofiano Khan-Pereira on the depth chart.
“That would mean more to me than a lot of things in my life,” he admits. “Obviously, with my old man playing, it’s really cool to be here.
“If I could wear that jersey, I promise I’ll rip in and give it a crack for sure.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand