The durable prop returned to building sites around Christchurch after the Keas claimed an unprecedented fifth successive premiership when ending the Northern Bulldogs Canterbury Rugby League premiership aspirations on September 13.
And now the project manager is preparing to take a lead role with an inexperienced Bulls side in the NZRL national premiership.
“We’ve got quite a young side, it’ll be interesting to see how we go,” said Todd, who made his Bulls debut in 2009, when Canterbury were triumphant.
Todd has plenty of Linwood talent alongside on the Bulls roster with Matt Sauni, Mapu Uasi, Penitito Ilalio, Graeme Patu-Vaega’au, Will Yeow and Chanel Fealea named in the squad to take on the Counties Manukau Stingrays at Nga Puna Wai on October 3.
The Bulls last won the title in 2014, when Todd was making his final code switch to rugby for Sumner.
“I wanted to see if I could still do it but you get more attacking ball and you’re tackling more in league, in rugby it’s all scrums and lineouts.”
He took his first a break from league at Christchurch Boys’ High School but a trip to South Africa with the under-16s couldn’t prevent him returning to his roots with Linwood the following season.
Todd’s return to the Keas premiership grade team coincided with a loss to the Papanui Tigers but since then the club has been unbeatable when it counts.
“This is probably the sweetest (title) with the whole Covid stuff happening as well,” said Todd, who was judged the Mel Cooke player of the grand final for the third time in four years.
“A lot of accolades should go out to the coaching staff as well, they hung in there and got the boys motivated to keep training during the lockdown.
“It’s been a tough year for a few of the boys.”
“The body’s not feeling too bad,” he said, happy the building game is also in rude health.
“It’s busy, there’s jobs on everywhere. You can’t go travelling so I guess people are doing up their house.”
