Archive for March, 2010

Perhaps Shontayne Hape, the Bath centre out of the West Auckland suburbs, should change his surname to Grumpy to get the nod from England manager Martin Johnson.
Hape, after five years in the English Super League with Bradford Bulls before switching codes to Bath last season, now qualifies for England on residency grounds and was called into England’s Six Nations squad. The selection immediately raised the hackles of little Englanders, uncomfortable with a Kiwi sporting a Maori tattoo swapping the silver fern for a red rose at the drop of a passport.
What followed was wearily predictable as the New Zealand rugby league international had to answer questions about passion and patriotism, not rugby.
“I was brought up in New Zealand and I’m proud of where I come from but I’m proud to be an Englishman as well and have dual nationality. Being in the squad is one thing; actually playing international rugby is another. I’m looking forward to the challenge and it’s one that I’m going to relish.”
Hape was right about ‘actually playing international rugby.’ He got within a sniff, or rather a stomach bug, of a place on the England bench against Wales at Twickenham. He was promoted to the replacements when fellow Kiwi Riki Flutey pulled out injured, with Toby Flood elevated to the starting line-up, only for Hape’s late withdrawal from the bench.
Hape now finds himself back on club duty with Bath and wondering what Johnson and England backs coach Brian Smith are planning next. It seemed odd to go for a left field selection aged 29, with dodgy knees and then not play him. Robbie Paul, Hape’s former Bradford Bulls teammate, is convinced his great friend can give England “a creative spark.”
Before switching codes former New Zealand Warrior Hape took advice from another league convert Lesley Vainikolo, with the pair a lethal backline combination for the Bradford Bulls. Vainikolo plays for Bath’s great West Country rivals Gloucester and the big wing won five England caps, but the Volcano failed to erupt. Another code breaker and friend, Robbie’s brother Henry Paul, also did not fire in the briefest of England careers.
A creative spark? England cannot light a fire with a flame thrower, so insipid has their back play been. They flattered to deceive against Wales and the Italy game on a Roman Sunday had diehard England fans switching TV channels to watch religious programmes, with more movement and the chance to pray for divine midfield intervention. Like Wales forward Andy Powell who drove what was in front of him – a golf buggy - England need to play what’s in front of them.
Hape lacks a kicking game, say his detractors. Thank god for that, for England’s kicking game has been aimless and fruitless and if picked outside Jonny Wilkinson and Flutey, boot to ball is not his job.
What Hape can bring to the party – apart from his talents as a Disc Jockey – is a rugged defence as befits a 6ft 2in, 16 stone centre. He also has quick hands and soft distribution, giving him the strength to straighten the line and engage midfield traffic, with the subtlety to offload, an ability to see space and put support runners through holes.
Hape is not blessed with grass-burning gas, but has a great step off both feet and is a balanced runner. He has not been ripping up historic buildings down in the Regency city of Bath, but is quietly influential, with Bath on a four match winning streak in the Premiership and former Crusaders wing Joe Maddock in fine try-scoring form.
Hape’s nickname at Bradford was Champagne, more for its rhyming with Shontayne, rather than any lavish tastes. Hape is married to professional dancer Liana and the couple have two sons. Off the field the New Zealander loves to spin the discs as DJ Shape, taking his hip hop inspiration from the likes of rapper Jay-Z.
After the history of New Zealand rugby league converts embracing the England jersey, but failing to fill it, England hope Hape will turn the opposition as well as tables and that the former Te Atatu Rooster does not become another feather, or fern, duster.

www.rugby.co.nz

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