We are excited to be welcoming Nick Hyde to the clan this season! New Zealand Maori Nick joins us from Nedlands Rugby Club in Western Australia and has played for the Western Force.  

Position:  Hooker
Nationality/heritage: New Zealand Maori
Nickname:  Hydie
Favourite rugby player: Ritchie McCaw
Interesting fact: I’m a qualified Carpenter and Personal Trainer 

Can you tell us a bit about your rugby journey/background to date?

I started playing rugby when I was five for Cheviot Magpies – a small rural club in the heart of North Canterbury. I played with Cheviot until I moved to boarding school and then began playing for Christchurch Boys High school where I captained the 1st XV. After school, I played for High School Old Boys with representative rugby alongside for Canterbury age-group sides, before moving to Canterbury Maori and Canterbury B. In 2017, I played with the Hawkes Bay wider training squad for the Mitre 10 NPC. In 2019, I moved to Whangarei in the far North and played in the Northland Mitre 10 NPC team. In 2020, I moved to Perth and Played for Associates Rugby Club and did pre-season training with the Western Force. Then in 2021, I played for Nedlands Rugby Club and was fortunate enough to play 2 games for the Western Force (one against Bay of Plenty and the other against the Wallabies).

What are your hobbies / interests outside of rugby and what do you do work?

I love farming on my Dad’s farm in New Zealand. I played a lot of Golf in Perth and really acquired a love for that too.

If you weren’t a rugby player, which other sport/s would you play?

Golf, Tennis or Cricket- I was very fortunate to play a lot of sport growing up!

What are you looking forward to most about life in Hong Kong and playing for Hong Kong Scottish

I’m looking forward to experiencing and living in a completely different and new culture. It will be awesome to experience and share this new adventure with my partner! 

I am looking forward to being able to run out and play alongside one of my closest and longest friends; Pickle (Michael Green). It will be great to get amongst a new team and play with a group of people from different rugby backgrounds too. I’m hoping to do my part to contribute to HK Scottish winning the premiership. 

What should we expect from you next season (on and off the pitch)?
On the field, I’ll be looking to bring a physical presence and to throw some good darts! Off the field, I’ll be looking to buy into all HK Scottish events/team events and making the most of this opportunity.

Do you have any hidden talents…?
Tennis – I actually had to choose between Rugby and Tennis at high school.

What’s your favourite pre-match song?
Paradise – Bazzi

We look forward to seeing Nick in red and blue this season – and welcoming his partner Phoebe to the Club!