Hape loves vibe of rugby roots

Shontayne Hape meets English doctors at Christchurch Hospital. Photo / Getty Images

Shontayne Hape hesitates for a moment when asked if it feels like his homecoming for the Rugby World Cup.

"Obviously my home is in England at the moment," says the former Warrior and Kiwi rugby league representative and member of the English World Cup squad.

"But yeah ... [New Zealand] is where I was born, where I grew up, and it has still got that home feeling. It's awesome to see how big this World Cup is. This is rugby country, man."

Hape, 30, and fellow English players and management were welcomed like local heroes on a goodwill visit to Christchurch yesterday. Unable to base themselves in Christchurch as planned because of the earthquakes, the team wanted to ensure the city did not feel left out.

At the airport, women's hospital and primary schools, the often-maligned English were greeted with a sea of England colours, cheering and people clamouring for autographs.

Schoolchildren with the St George's Cross painted on their faces waved flags and sang God Save the Queen for their visitors. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker presented the English team with a box of red and black socks.

England squad member Dave Wilson proved that props do have a tender side when he held premature babies in the hospital's neonatal unit. Wilson said it reminded him of his one-month-old son, Oliver, back home - "I miss him like mad".

One hospital staffer noted the All Blacks had never made a visit like this.

Grateful England team manager Martin Johnson called the Christchurch reception "heartwarming", and pledged his team's support for the city as it recovers from the destruction of the earthquakes. He said it was terrible watching the live television reports of the February quake as his team were preparing for a test match.

Hape joined the English group in a visit to the quake-damaged AMI Stadium and said it was sad to see the quakes had robbed Christchurch of its World Cup matches. "But we are here to support the local community, and do everything we can."

Many of Hape's family live in Auckland, but he is hoping he won't see much of them during the tournament - "otherwise that means we got knocked out".

"They're very passionate rugby fans. I think they support the All Blacks, and they support me playing for England whenever we are playing anyone except for New Zealand."

And who would they support in a New Zealand-England final?

"I'll only be getting tickets to the game for people who are supporting England - put it that way."

If there is some down time, Hape looks forward to getting out on the Waitemata Harbour for some fishing.