SHANE HURNDELL
Don't mention the word "Aussie" around New Zealand Maori rugby first five-eighth Callum Bruce.
The Hawke's Bay age group protege has heard talk that next weekend's clash between Australia A and the Maori team in Sydney will be the Pacific Nations Cup decider.
Bruce and his Maori teammates are refusing to look further than today's match against Japan at Napier's McLean Park.
"Everything is week-by-week with this campaign," said Bruce during the Maori side's visit to his former school, Napier Boys' High, on Thursday.
"We'll worry about Australia next week.
"Japan have got a handy side. They will ask questions of our defence and attack and with a couple of Kiwis they will be tough," he said.
The Chiefs' inside back is eagerly awaiting his first outing on McLean Park since 2001 when he was in the Hawke's Bay Sevens squad which played trials games as curtainraisers to NPC fixtures.
"This training session also brought back memories too," said Bruce, pointing to the ground where he played numerous games during his three seasons in the NBHS 1st XV.
With his first season for the Chiefs behind him Bruce, 25, has no regrets about leaving Otago where he had a season for the Highlanders and played 24 games for Otago. He still retains a link wit the region. Although his rugby commitments keeping him busy, he has put his plans to study law on hold but is completing two of his PE degree papers from the University of Otago in Waikato.
"Otago gave me a foot in the door and now Waikato provides another opportunity," said Bruce, who is equally at home at second five-eighth as he is at No 10.
"Most of my games for the Chiefs were at second five. But I'm playing at 10 for the Maori and with Stephen Donald likely to be with the ABs for most of the Air New Zealand Cup I hope to get plenty of time there for Waikato."
One of his former NBHS teammates and former Magpies' fullback Glen Horton will start on the wing for the Maori side while Magpies and Hurricanes' hooker Hika Elliot is on the bench.
Former New Zealand Maori players Bryce Robins, James Arlidge, Ryan Nicholas and Hare Makiri are in the Japan side which is coached by All Black legend John Kirwan, who has a family link to the Bay.
His grandfather Jack played for the Magpies in 1924 before switching codes and playing league for the Kiwis from 1925-27.
PACIFIC NATIONS CUP - One game at a time for Maori team
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