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The Onewhero club, Counties Manukau Rugby and Cam Roigard are celebrating the halfback’s selection in the first All Blacks squad of 2023.

Roigard, PIC Steelers player of the year in 2022 and Hurricanes player, was one of five players named to the squad for the first time on Sunday night and his selection was met with a combination of celebration and immense pride.

“When the All Blacks squad was announced, it was a pretty special moment not just for me but also my family,” Roigard said. “Having them there with me in that moment was something I’ll cherish forever.

“It’s pretty humbling to have the opportunity to potentially become Onewhero’s first All Black and it would be a huge honour to do it for such an awesome and loyal club.

“Onewhero is the first and only club I’ve played for since I arrived in Counties Manukau in 2019 and to make those people proud is awesome.

“Alongside Onewhero, Counties Manukau has been a huge part of my development as a rugby player. I joined the province in their academy back in 2019 and it’s been a really amazing journey from there to where I am today.

“It was awesome having Brad Devlin at home with my family last night when the squad got announced. He is a huge reason for me ending up with Counties Manukau and Onewhero so to share that moment with him was also great.”

Former Steeler and Onewhero President Chris Nicholson said the club was extremely proud of Roigard.

“As a club, we couldn’t be prouder to have Cam Roigard as our first All Black.

“He’s a very loyal young guy, a top club man and has been a great mentor for our young players coming through at the club. He’s never forgotten this place and is always up for helping out.

“There’s been some great Counties players come out of our club like Sean Bagshaw and Richard Judd and certainly last night to hear Cam’s name read out was a very, very special moment for us all here.

“It would be remiss not to acknowledge another great Onewhero man in Brad Devlin who was the one who really championed Cam and helped get him here. Brad certainly saw his potential from the start.

“We can’t wait to watch him pull on the black jersey and I know everyone here will be looking forward to catching up with him when he’s gets a chance to come back up the hill.”

Roigard lived with Onewhero Rugby champion Brad Devlin for a time and his friend was extremely proud to hear the name called out by All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

“I’m not surprised that he has got to where he has got when I sat there, I saw firsthand the hard work, the will, the desire, the dedication and the effort that went in to make him the player he is today.

Congratulations – we are pretty proud of him and wish him all the best.”