Porter heads down under

12:35pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

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ENGLAND star Josh Lewsey insists Blackheath's Nick Porter will thrive down under after the Wasps prop was selected to play for New Zealand side North Shore this summer, writes Daniel Schofield.

The 19-year-old academy rising star, who has yet to make his debut for Shaun Edwards' title-chasing side, will link up with former Wasps coach Craig Dowd after Wasps' season concludes.

World Cup winning skipper Martin Johnson served a year-long apprenticeship in the land of the All Blacks before going onto to grab glory with Leicester and England and Lewsey believes Porter will come back fitter and stronger for the experience.

He said: "Nick will be going out to work with Craig Dowd in New Zealand and this is going to benefit them enormously.

"I think they are going to really thrive because it is a different rugby culture and it will give them a whole new outlook on the game.

"Hopefully we will get them back and they'll be in better shape and have played some games.

"The challenge for them now is to get first-team experience and deliver when they get that chance."

Porter starred for Blackheath before joining the Wasps academy at the beginning of the season.

But his path to regular first-team rugby is currently blocked by England props Tim Payne and Phil Vickery.

And while fellow Wasps youngster Danny Cipriani is blazing a trail across English rugby, Lewsey warned Porter he will have to wait a bit longer for a crack of the whip.

The 31-year-old added: "Fly-halfs are judged on their decision making and how they perform on the field - you can do that very early if you have the ability.

"With props it is different. On the most basic level their job is to beat up the opposition so you are not going to get many 21-year-olds outmuscling a 32-year-old gnarly old man.

"Nick is going to have to be patient but there is a culture at the club where we will always give players a chance to make their mark rather than bring in some superstars "All front five takes longer to break through but then you do last longer once you have made it."