‘Mongrel’ Plumtree craves Wales recall

TAINE Plumtree says his father’s example has rubbed off on him when it comes to his life as a “mongrel” rugby player.

- By SIMON THOMAS

Plumtree moved around a lot as a youngster depending where his dad John’s coaching career took the family.

He was born in Wales and then had spells living in New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and Japan before heading back to the land of his birth in 2023 to join the Scarlets, having followed his old man in taking up rugby as a profession.

“The fact I moved around so much when I was younger made it a little bit easier for me when I did it by myself, coming over two years ago,” says the former Wellington forward.

“At the time, I didn’t like moving around because I had friends, but I came to love the places we went to.

“We left New Zealand when I was just turning seven to go to Durban. I spent most of my time growing up there in uMhlanga on the beach.