Bond Pirates; Hurricanes U20s captain Xavier Pereka’s extraodinary leap of faith

A unique twist of fate has seen the 20-year-old Hurricanes back-rower walk away from Wellington for a new life on the Gold Coast. Here’s how Bond Pirates scored the year’s biggest signing.

Xavier Pereka flew to Australia to chase a dream not even he could understand.

As the 20-year-old Kiwi’s budding rugby union career gathered pace, sweeping him into the Hurricanes under-20s system and a lifestyle of drinking and partying, Pereka reached a breaking point.

For years he had ignored a feeling deep inside that he was not where he belonged.

Hurricanes U20s captain Xavier Pereka has walked away from New Zealand because he heard the voice of God telling him his place was on the Gold Coast. The Bond Pirates rugby club are set to benefit because their president bumped into him at Church and recruited him. Picture Glenn Hampson

At his lowest point, Pereka reconnected with his faith and realised what he had tried to suppress was a message from God.

MORE GOLD COAST RUGBY COVERAGE

● BOND: Pirates sign 168kg giant prop from Shute Shield

● BOND: Former Super Rugby prodigy takes reins at Pirates

● GCDRU: 2020 Season Draw revealed

He didn’t understand what it meant, but one part was clear.

He needed to go where God intended him to be.

“I first heard the word from God to move countries three years ago but at the time I didn’t listen,” Pereka said.

Hurricanes U20s captain Xavier Pereka has walked away from New Zealand because he heard the voice of God telling him his place was on the Gold Coast. The Bond Pirates rugby club are set to benefit because their president bumped into him at Church and recruited him. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I had been blessed to play for the New Zealand Under-19 Heartland team and got the call-up to play for the Hurricanes under-20s team.

“When I moved from my home in Palmerston North to Wellington I fell into alcohol and partying and lost my faith in ways.

“You feel like (the partying) will satisfy you until it sends you the completely wrong way and pulls you further.

“It made sports harder because I wasn’t fit and spiritually I felt drained, like I just wasn’t worth it.”

With mentoring from All Blacks star Vaea Fifita and Du’Plessis Kirifi on the field and guidance from his church off it, Pereka found the clarity he had lost since leaving home.

He would answer God’s call with a leap of faith towards Australia.

“God doesn’t give you every piece of the puzzle, but you know in your heart when you make a step in the right direction,” Pereka said.

“I’m still trying to uncover those puzzle pieces where it all makes sense.

“My faith tells me it will click into place one day.”

Hurricanes U20s captain Xavier Pereka has walked away from New Zealand because he heard the voice of God telling him his place was on the Gold Coast. The Bond Pirates rugby club are set to benefit because their president bumped into him at Church and recruited him. Picture Glenn Hampson

Pereka arrived on the Coast with an uncertain future but a chance encounter with Bond Pirates president Sean Wilson at their Robina church has provided answers on his footballing future at least.

The six-foot-three, 110kg junior Hurricane will add firepower in attack and defence to a Pirates outfit in desperate need of it.

As important will be the leadership qualities the 20-year-old can bring to their back-row as a former Hurricanes under-20s skipper and Glow Leadership Program student.