League: Hape hoping for permanent Kiwis spot

WARRINGTON - Shontayne Hape is hoping Monday morning's (NZ time) non-test encounter against England will propel him back into coach Brian McClennan's test squad.

Hape's elevation to international football has been far from smooth for the 23-year-old Bradford centre.

After running in 23 tries for Bradford, Hape was called into the Kiwis squad for the British leg of last year's Tri-Nations.

During the build-up for his test debut against Great Britain, he felt a twinge coming from his knee -- the same knee that had been almost totally rebuilt after coming apart completely in the first match of the New Zealand Warriors' 2002 season.

The dislocated knee cap and ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) he suffered against Sydney Roosters put one of the country's brightest young talents out for the entire season and, ultimately, on the plane to Bradford.

Two years later, when he felt the knee twinge, he was worried.

But, with the encouragement of the Kiwis medical staff, he put his doubts aside and went on to perform admirably in the two defeats by Britain.

It wasn't until several months later, when he reported for Bradford's pre-season training camp in Portugal, that his worst fears were confirmed.

The ligament taken from his hip and grafted onto his knee to replace his ACL had come free. That meant more surgery -- and another six months on the sidelines.

Hape's second comeback was even more remarkable than his first.

Once he returned for struggling Bradford in July, they didn't lose another game en route to the title.

His 12 tries over that 10-match span assured he would be part of this year's Tri-Nations.

Rather than being allowed to wait patiently for the Kiwis to arrive in Britain, however, his grand final victory celebrations were cut off in full swing by a phone call from McClennan.

Clinton Toopi had injured his knee and, less than 48 hours after appearing at Old Trafford, he was on his way to New Zealand.

Two training sessions and a couple of fitful sleeps later, he found himself in the glare of the Ericsson Stadium lights, watching in desperation as Kangaroo centre Mark Gasnier eased around him and raced 30 metres to score a crucial try.

"I didn't play as well as I wanted to against Australia," Hape admitted.

"I feel a lot more settled-in now. I was pretty much just thrown in there last time."

McClennan wasn't about to make the same mistake twice, resting Hape for the first match against Britain after the return flight from Auckland left him "not knowing where I was" just days before the match.

With Toopi and Manu Vatuvei both excelling against Britain in Hape's favoured left-sided positions, Monday's clash with England looms as his only real chance to force his back to front of the queue.

"It will be good to get out there and play again," he said.

"It will be nice to get some more ball this time and hopefully score some tries.

"But it's an important game for all of us. We are all pushing for places and Brian has told us he'll pick on form.

"It's good that we can all push each other. It has got to be good for our country, but no one wants to be the one to miss out."

- NZPA