A/N: So I went to my first ever live rugby game and it was amazing, not the Hurricanes, but I still got to support a New Zealand team, Highlanders the champions of last year in fact and they won so convincingly! It was so much fun, and so here's your late chapter :)

Chapter 7: Flanker

"...Number 4 Jeremy Michael Lewis, Number 5 Scott Hoying, Number 6 Ryder Lynn, Number 7 Sam Evans, Number 8 Alex Kirk, Number 9 Darrien Koop, Number 10... Beauden Barrett..."
     Both Beauden and Kirstie jump up from their spots either side of Avi.
     "You've been prepping me for 15 all week coach," Beauden complains.
     As Kirstie goes to speak, Coach starts first. "Let me finish before you all interrupt. Number 11 Jake Puckerman, Number 12 Kevin Olusola, Number 13 Avi Kaplan, Number 14 Todrick Hall, Number 15 Mitch Grassi." He goes on to list the reserves then he looks up at Kirstie, "And water bo-girl, Kristen Maldonado."
     "Kirstin," Avi and Beauden say at the same time, and glance at each other before back at the coach.      Kirstie drops back into her spot with a pout and a shake of her head.
     "Clear out now boys, and Kirstin, I'll see you tomorrow before the game," Coach says as the rest of the team start to move out.
      Kevin, Mitch and Scott wait near the door, visible and just able to hear. Beauden steps ahead of Kirstie and Avi, right up to coach.
      "Why are you doing this? You brought Kirstie onto the team so we could start winning and then you don't even put her on the bench! Coach that's not fair to anyone."
      "Barrett, I don't want to hear your complaining, it's not just my decision. And based on your fit last week when I recruited her, I thought you'd be happy about this. Now I don't want to hear any more about this, the team named is the team playing. You might get your chance next game Kristen."
      "Kirstin," Kirstie, Avi and Beauden all say.
      "Right, right," Coach nods as he leaves to his office with his clip board.
Beauden turns around, "Mitch," he waves him over.
     "Yes captain," he nods.
     "Mate, how was your trip?"
      Mitch furrows his brow.
       Beauden stares at him for a moment before sighing and trying again, "How will your trip go? The small one you're going to take then talk to Coach about."
     "I'm not taking a trip."
     "If you don't "take a trip" then I'm going to have to actually break your foot," Beauden tells him half threateningly.
     Mitch takes a step back then yells out in pain. Beauden grabs Kirstie's arm and runs, pulling her out of the locker room after him. In a moment's decision, the Captain turns back and nods Avi over to follow them. The three leave and wait just outside, pressed against the wall, listening.
     Mitch crouches on the ground clutching his ankle and crying out, Kevin and Scott step up either side of him as Coach steps out of his office.
     "What's going on?" he asks loudly.
     Mitch continues to yell out so Scott answers for him, "He tripped over the seat when he rushed back for his phone Sir."
     "You're over reacting Grassi, some ice and you'll be fine."
      Kevin speaks up, standing up beside the Coach, "With all due respect sir do you really want to risk that it might be something serious and that if he plays tomorrow it could only get worse."
     With a sigh and a curse under his breath, he voices his solution, "Tell Kristy she's on the bench and Anderson's starting at 15. And you still put ice on that Grassi," he points at the now silent boy on the ground.
      As he leaves the room, Scott offers Mitch a hand up, then he and Kevin "help" him leave the locker room, and let go of him as they arrive in front of the other three.
      "Congratulations on your first cap* Kirstie," Beauden starts. "He'll sub you on as soon as I miss," he nods surely then steps away and leaves past the corner, giving her a small smile as he leaves.
      "I told you he respected you," Avi says to Kirstie with a growing smile.
Kirstie nods, "I guess he does," she breaks into a small smile herself and leans in to give Avi a quick hug. She immediately pulls away from him as she realises what she'd done and jumps in to hug Mitch, followed by Scott then Kevin, "Yay! I'm getting my first cap!" she cheers.
     "And I'm not playing!" Mitch grins, jumping up and down with Kirstie.
     "I actually wonder why you're on the team," Scott laughs, clapping Mitch on the shoulder to stop his hopping.
     "Because you told me it would be fun, and I'm not a quitter, so there," Mitch shrugs.
     "And yet you keep getting put on to start, Mitch you're good, imagine how good you could be if you cared," Kirstie offers him a warm smile.
     "Maybe I'll care when we start winning," Mitch offers, "And now that you're gonna be playing we actually have a shot."
     "Having two good players is twice as good as only having one," Scott nods with a smirk.
     "Oh no shit," Mitch lightly shoves him. "But you know you just insulted yourself there."
     "Yeah well I know I'm average, so is Kevin and Avi, and every other player on the team, but Kirstie and Beauden are good, this is gonna be a good season."

*cap: term for a game. Eg. Beauden Barrett has played 69 games for the Hurricanes, he has 69 caps for the Hurricanes.

A/N: Woo, there it is, I hope you liked it, and keep an eye out I may just update this again within the next 24 hours ;D