Rugby: Hape aims to follow Robinson's example

Shontayne Hape has starred with Bath. Photo / Getty Images

Shontayne Hape is keeping an image of Jason Robinson in his mind even as he keeps his head down following all the controversy over his selection in England's Six Nations squad.

Hape, the former Kiwi rugby league player now demonstrating solid midfield skills for the Bath rugby club, has Robinson (arguably league's most effective convert to rugby) as an example to follow.

But he isn't being drawn too much into the squabble that erupted after he was named in Martin Johnson's 32-man Six Nation's squad.

The former New Zealand Warrior is keen to stay focused on the job at hand - the last round of Heineken Cup pool play against Irish side Ulster - before he takes on the task of making the starting 15 for England.

"For now, I just want to keep my head down and work hard," admits Hape between training sessions with Bath.

"At the moment, I am in the England squad but that does not guarantee me selection.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself and I also have a game to play in front of the Bath home crowd this weekend too."

A lot of people will be watching Hape this weekend. Sterile experiments by England with former New Zealand league internationals Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo and former England league skipper Andy Farrell mean there is a large amount of scepticism among English fans and media regarding Hape.

He was chosen ahead of Shane Geraghty, Dominic Waldouck and Danny Cipriani, all of whom have more flair in their game and would have been more popular choices than the 14-cap Kiwi.

It could be argued that Hape is not ready for international honours with just 16 months of rugby under his belt but Jason Robinson, who made a hugely successful cross-code switch to the 15-man game for England, was hardly ready himself when he was first selected as an international.

Hape cites Robinson as an inspiration for his rugby career: "I am obviously aware that because I have come from rugby league, I am open to criticism, but Jason Robinson is one of the great success stories. I am hoping that I can do half as well as he has done and I plan to give it my all."

The English rugby team, in possession of a trio of former New Zealanders - Dylan Hartley, Riki Flutey and Hape - can almost boast equality with the nation's cricket team, which features four players of South African origin.

The issue of foreign-born players in national sides is a hot topic in England at the moment.

Johnson has said he deems the issue irrelevant and Hape, though proud of his New Zealand heritage, clearly backs up his new boss.

"Obviously I am proud of where I come from in New Zealand but I have been living in the UK for seven years and both of sons were born here. It is part of my life now," he says.

"I love Bath. It is the heartland of English rugby so there is a different rugby culture down here. We will be moving to a new ground soon, which is exciting for everyone at the club."

Hape brings an organised defence, a good passing game, clever offloads and a deceptive step off both feet to England's backline. He has been chosen more on potential than form - there is no guarantee he will stay in the squad if and when it is culled - but is happy to have made it to the elite level in such a short space of time.

"I do feel it is a huge achievement to be named in the England squad having come from league and having been with Bath for just a year-and-a-half. It has been hard work. The players at Bath have helped me out and the coaches keep steering me in the right direction."

The 28-year-old gets specific in declaring which players he is eager to hook up with in the England squad when they come together on January 25.

"I will of course enjoy playing alongside all of the England boys but especially Jonny Wilkinson, Riki Flutey and, of course, Matt Banahan [the big 2.01m, 115kg England and Bath winger who played against the All Blacks on the 2009 end of year tour].

"If I get the opportunity to take to the pitch, that will be cool but, as I said, I just want to work hard and then see what happens."

One 'tour' he will make with the England team is to Portugal. Given the freezing temperatures in the United Kingdom, Hape and his England colleagues will be heading there for a warm-weather training camp this week before taking on Wales in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham on February 6.