BY WORKING day he studies stocks and shares.Most Saturday afternoons in winters he studies some big and occasionally ugly and often dirty prop forwards at close quarters in the scrum or in the rucks and mauls of a National Three London and South East rugby pitch. That’s the regular life of big Cameron Craine, who last weekend at Tring bundled over for the side’s bonus point try.
Cameron has been a familiar and regular face as Guernsey pack down for three years now and coach Jordan Reynolds would not be without him.
‘He became a senior player for us very quickly and he has fitted in well. ‘He runs our lineout and he’s got plenty of leadership qualities.’
Then there are the tries he invariably crops up with, his latest the fourth and bonus-point clinching effort against Tring last weekend.
‘Yeah, he tends to score them a metre from the line. He’s done that a few times already for us this season.’
The 28-year-old analyst was born in Palmerston, New Zealand but last year married a local girl, Keeley, and very recently became a father of a little boy. He explains how he arrived here:
‘I ended up coming to Guernsey through Blair Campbell, the current captain of the first team. ‘Cameron Hayton was a school friend and past player of Guernsey and we had just completed our first season in the UK in Portsmouth and had begun our summer travels through Europe when we received an email out of the blue from Blair asking us if we were interested in playing a season in Guernsey. ‘He had got our contact details through a mutual friend who was playing rugby in Spain.
‘Both Cameron and I knew Blair from back in New Zealand as he also went to our High School and played for our rival team in the Manawatu competition College Old Boys (COB). ‘We said we were both interested and ended up arriving here in early July 2010 after finishing our travels throughout Europe.
But what of his rugby background and influences?
‘I have been fortunate to have some fantastic coaches both past and present. ‘I would have to say that the biggest influence in my playing career was when Greg Somerville (former All Black and specialist tighthead prop) coached our forwards when I was playing rugby in Christchurch. ‘Just his professional approach to training and gym work was exceptional. ‘But he also knew when to have a good time as well. I would also have to say Geoff Thompson, my Varsity coach, has been a massive help to me in respect of gym work. He also personally trained Robin Le Cocq when he went out to New Zealand for a season.’
Before his successes in Guernsey colours – winning back to back promotions with Guernsey in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons – the high points of his rugby career had been winning the Christchurch Colts competition ‘I don't really have any low points to speak of, but losing the 2009 Manawatu Senior A final was a bit of a low point however we didn't play well enough to win.’
He has settled into island life easily enough.‘I think Guernsey is a pretty special place. ‘People from New Zealand always ask what Guernsey is like and the I always say it is like a New Zealand town, the people are friendly and there is plenty of things to do however the winters are a bit colder. ‘The Guernsey Rugby Club is quite unique in that we have to travel away every second week to play and also that the first team operates with such a small squad. ‘But the facilities are second to none in our league and are right up there with the facilities that are available to Varsity, which has the use of the All Blacks institute where all the New Zealand age group rugby camps are held.
‘The quality of rugby is improving by our recent promotions and the first team are adopting more of a professional approach to preparation, training and playing.’Had the island surprised him in any way?
The answer is yes, and few islanders will be surprised to learn it is do with the roads and sports.‘Although the island is small I have been surprised as to how easy it is to get lost driving down the country lanes.I was also surprised by the amount of sports facilities and teams based on the island as well as the number of people who participate in a sport of some nature which is definitely a credit to Guernsey.
‘My wife Keeley has made it easier for me to settle into island life.
‘I can't say enough about her and how supportive she is.
‘We got married last year and have just had a little boy, Max. So it is fair to say I will be here for the long term.
‘Also all the boys in the rugby team were very welcoming and I have made some fantastic friends from the team.’He says the amount of travel that has to be done, whether it be away for a rugby game or holiday is the only difficult aspect of living on a small island.
As sporting ambitions go he would put winning a Siam near the top of the list.‘I had not heard about the Siam Cup before I arrived and I was surprised by the size of the crowds and the intensity of the matches.
‘Unfortunately I have not been able to win one yet.’
As for sporting interests outside rugby, he likes watching the NRL (Australian Rugby League competition), the New Zealand Cricket team when they are playing and really got into the Americas Cup when that was on. ‘Obviously I support the All Blacks and watch all their matches religiously. ‘I also support the Hurricanes in the Super XV and Manawatu in the ITM Cup.’And if he was not settled down in Guernsey, with a local wife and a good rugby team to play for, what would he be doing?‘I think I would be back in New Zealand putting my Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree to good use with an agricultural related job and playing a bit of rugby.’

CAMERON CRAINE
FACTFILE

Age: 28
Born: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Education: Palmerston North Boys High School
Previous Clubs: Burnside Rugby Football Club - Christchurch, Massey University Rugby Football Club (also known as Varsity) - Palmerston North, Portsmouth Rugby Football Club - Portsmouth10.

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