King blooms in Otago colours

Chris King says playing regularly makes a difference.

He looks remarkably like Chris Jack, but most Otago rugby fans are hoping Chris King will play remarkably like Carl Hoeft.

King is walking a relatively untrodden path after transferring from Canterbury to Otago.

His year, firstly as a draft player with the Highlanders and then a loan player with Otago, convinced him his future lay in the South. His brief career with Otago takes another step in today's NPC first division final against Auckland.

All Black props Greg Somerville and Campbell Johnstone were ahead of him at Canterbury, but the fact the long-serving Hoeft had departed for France was the clincher.

There was a propping berth in Otago, and King wanted it.

"The offer came through a couple of weeks ago, but I'd been thinking about it for a while," King said.

"You've got to weigh up your options and what's best for your future. I've been getting good game time down here and the opportunity came up.

"You can't improve unless you get game time, and that wasn't happening in Canterbury."

King, 24, saw little action during the Super 12 but has been something of a revelation during the NPC.

With minimal previous experience, he moved to the tight-head side of the scrum when Carl Hayman was on All Black duty, then slotted back into loosehead once Hoeft left.

"When Carl was away with the All Blacks, the opportunity was there. You need someone in the squad who can play both sides," King said.

"I see myself as a loosehead, but I know I can play tighthead as well."

King will start alongside Anton Oliver and Carl Hayman in the final at Eden Park, and it was not difficult to imagine a time when he follows his team-mates into the All Blacks.

His scrummaging and ball work have developed immensely, something he credits to simply playing every week.

King had a wry grin on his face when he agreed his transfer was timely, given the success Otago had had this season.

He was born and raised in Mid Canterbury but took special pleasure in Otago's victories over Canterbury at Carisbrook and Jade Stadium.

"Yeah, it was just disappointing the Ranfurly Shield wasn't on the line."

King and his partner have been renting in Dunedin, but will now look for a more permanent residence.

He has signed a two-year contract to play for the Highlanders and Otago.

- NZPA