Ospreys' new cult hero Deaves looks to emulate his hero Tipuric

HARRI Deaves is already a cult figure and a fans favourite at the Ospreys but his stock is growing rapidly.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

Very few people gave the Ospreys a chance of competing against the Bulls in Pretoria, but while the Welsh club didn’t win they scored 40 points at Loftus Versfeld to prove they mean business this season.

Tenacious backrower Deaves, 24, was totemic making 17 tackles, 22 post contact metres and two try assists.

Deaves has won many admirers, with Wales legend Shane Williams labelling him an “absolute dog”, while Adam Jones has previously described him as “phenomenal” and an “absolute nightmare to play against.”

The praise has come in thick and fast but Deaves has never forgotten his roots and his real passion in life is his home town club Pontyclun RFC.

“I practically live in the club,” he said.

“I play darts Monday, coach Tuesdays and Thursdays and then I'm up there helping out however I can on other days.

“I know every age group so it's nice to see how they are transitioning.

“Last year we had four out of five age groups in the Blues cup final and one loss in the semis.

“So, it is a pretty good setup down there.

“I coach the youth so I help transition the boys from the juniors onto our first team and senior rugby.

“That’s my main goal just to get the club back where we feel as a community it should be in the better leagues.

“There's always boys who kick on at our club but there's boys kicking on right now which is class to see.

“There's some quality players, Harry Lewis who is U16s and played for Wales U18s out in Italy.

“There’s some quality boys coming through the ranks and it is nice to be able to see that happen as well.”

Deaves has had to overcome adversity to become a professional rugby player after getting told he wasn’t big enough by some figures in the game.

He may not be the biggest but he punches well above his weight and is often one of the most physical players on the pitch.