Nico Costa’s rugby journey is far from over, but it has thus far taken him from Buenos Aires across the Pacific Ocean, on to the Eden club and now the Auckland team.

The 22-year-old sparky halfback is on the bench for tomorrow night’s clash with Canterbury, but has risen from No 4 in the Auckland halfback rankings to No 2. He is one of several young talents around whom the union can build a solid future.

“It’s been a good environment playing for Auckland. At the start of the season I didn’t expect to be playing, but getting the call-up from the coaches was an unreal feeling. My family and I were very proud,” he says.

Coming off the bench for his debut against Bay of Plenty at Eden Park was extra special for Costa.

“My Mum always reminds me of the story. The lifestyle in New Zealand was very different. I got to go to school in bare feet, whereas at school in Argentina I had to wear a tie and black shoes. I was watching TV once with my Mum. Auckland was playing at Eden Park. I got up, with tears in my eyes, and told her I wanted to play for Auckland at Eden Park one day. She said ‘You will, one day.’

So it came to pass.

Life for Costa and his family, which includes siblings Ignacio, a fullback, and Rodrigo, a first five, started back in Argentina, until a chance family holiday here in 2002.

“We first came to New Zealand when I was seven for a family holiday. My Mum loved it. She wanted us to live here. We were just going to stay three days and ended up staying three years, but it got too hard with Dad being in Argentina, so we had to move back. We came back here again when I was 15 and I went to Rosmini College.”

The Costas still live on the North Shore, but have all found their way across the bridge to Eden, a well-established club making its way up the Auckland premier pecking order. The siblings have shown their chemistry in a well-performed side and in the club’s sevens team, national champions. Their flair has not gone unnoticed at Auckland Sevens level, where Nico and Iggy have represented. The trio can all kick goals, though Nico says his brothers are better off the tee.

“It was a really good season with Eden. We had a good team and were unlucky not to make the (Gallaher Shield) semis, but we came fifth.

“We also played some good footy with Auckland B. We won the competition unbeaten, so it’s been a good season for me.”

The Auckland coaches have allowed him to play his natural game, so the transition from the Bs up a level has not been too taxing.

“The coaches always tell me to just play my normal game the way I know, so there is no pressure for me to do anything else rather than just what I know.”

He’ll be back next season for club and, hopefully, union.

“I want to play for Auckland. The dream was to play for Auckland and now I want to play a bigger role in this club.”

Costa is a busy man away from rugby too. The game is just one part of his well-balanced life.

“It’s quite hard juggling being here and still trying to finish my (science) degree, majoring in logistics and supply chain management at Massey University, but the union are very understanding.” – Campbell Burnes