Rugby: Delany wants bigger role with Chiefs

Mike Delany learned plenty on tour with the All Blacks which he wants to transfer to Super 14 next year. Photo / Getty Images

Mike Delany's mindset has been the biggest beneficiary of his first All Black tour.

The Steamers first-five touched down in Tauranga yesterday after more than seven weeks on the road, eager for a break from rugby before Super 14 training kicks in.

When it does, he'll rejoin the Chiefs camp with a vastly different approach from his debut season with the franchise 12 months ago.

Coach Ian Foster now has two All Black pivots at his disposal - Stephen Donald the other - and Delany aims to make things tough for both of them.

"Last year, I went in thinking I was the understudy and that's how I approached things, looking to see how I could help out," Delany said. "This year, I'd imagine Fozzy will be asking a bit more of me to step up as a senior player so I'm looking forward to taking control and demanding that I play more and get involved more. I'm really keen to have a big year for them."

If he can make the same strides as this year, look out. The 27-year-old ended the last Chiefs season as a permanent fixture on the bench, covering first-five and fullback as they reached the Super 14 final.

He then launched himself into the Steamers' unlikely season start, brilliantly leading Bay of Plenty to upset wins over Wellington, Waikato and Canterbury and storming past 300 points for the union.

It was that form that saw him called up for the All Blacks and, to cap off an incredible year, Delany is a finalist at the Steinlager Rugby Awards on Thursday, nominated for the Air NZ Cup player of the year prize.

Delany's test debut came against Italy at the dazzling San Siro Stadium in Milan and he also came on during the All Blacks' loss to the Barbarians last week. In between, he immersed himself in the environment and learned some key lessons on how to tour.

"When you look at all the homework you do and all the preparation and training week-in, week-out, trying to take everything on board, one thing I learned is how to switch on and switch off, otherwise you just get burnt out.

"You realise what you need to learn pretty quickly as the other guys are pretty smart with their footy and know the game pretty well. I felt comfortable understanding what the coaches wanted but I just needed to make sure my own preparation was right and play my own game."

When Delany and Steamers teammate Tanerau Latimer ran on to San Siro Stadium together, they became the first pair of Bay players to play a test since 1986.

"I love playing in front of big crowds and that was as big as any. It was a long week and I was nervous about having a bad performance but just incredibly excited and just wanted to get out and get into it. To be alongside guys you look up to and have huge respect for was awesome."

Delany isn't the only Bay figure up for a gong this week - sevens player Zar Lawrence, who was superb at the first two IRB tournaments this month, and schoolboy star Sam Cane are finalists too.

Tauranga whistler Bryce Lawrence is also a warm favourite to grab the referee of the year title.

Delany will join Hawke's Bay wing Zac Guildford and Southland's Josh Bekhuis in the provincial category and his performances with the Steamers have cemented his style of play for the foreseeable future, if he can pull on the black jersey again. "You've just got to back yourself and know that you're good enough to play with those players. That was the hardest barrier for me, realising I was there and I needed to make the most of it and get stuck in.

"I'm looking forward to getting another crack so I can learn from my mistakes and become a better player for it."

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES