Late developer hits his straps

Brendon Leonard is among the young players who have pushed Waikato to the top this season. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Brendon Leonard didn't take the standard path to the top of New Zealand rugby.

There were no national age-group teams for the Waikato halfback. He was called into the New Zealand secondary schools squad in 2002 against Australian Schools at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, but was the only reserve not to get on the park in the 9-6 win.

He missed out on the Colts this year to Wellington's Alby Mathewson and Taniela Moa from Auckland, but there's a hint of the late developer about him.

Does the absence of age-group credentials bug him?

"I'm not too worried about what New Zealand teams I did or didn't make," Leonard said yesterday, ahead of tonight's Air New Zealand Cup quarter-final against Southland in Hamilton. "You don't have to make these teams to make the next level, so I don't get too down about it really."

The 21-year-old has been one of the successes in his team's impressive campaign, in which they finished top qualifier.

He gets a chance tonight in what he calls "the biggest highlight of my career so far" with coach Warren Gatland picking him ahead of All Black incumbent Byron Kelleher.

A product of Matamata College, Leonard made his debut last year and is relishing more game time this season, playing behind a strong, experienced pack.

"There's some good old heads there, which we were probably lacking last year. They're getting good ball for me and Stephen [first five-eighth Donald], so it's definitely contributing to the way I'm performing."

Leonard believes he has taken more ownership of his role this year. Halfbacks have their hands on the ball more than any other player and Leonard has recognised that he has to make a significant contribution.

He is up against All Black Jimmy Cowan tonight. With an All Black squad for the end-of-year trip to be named shortly, Cowan will be aware he needs to restate his credentials to the national selectors, but Leonard is wary of getting into a personal duel.

"He likes getting into a one-on-one. It's just about knowing what I've got to do for the team, not so much get one over Jimmy but help the team get one over Southland. I'll say hello, introduce myself and get going, I guess," he quipped.

As top qualifiers Waikato stay at home as long as they stay alive in the cup. "We can't complain, can't ask for too much more than that," Leonard said. Just as Gatland isn't complaining about the form he's got from his lively halfback this season.

And as long as the young players who have pushed Waikato along have older heads such as All Black fullback Mils Muliaina providing wisdom, they're going to be formidable in the next few seasons.

"The second half against North Harbour last weekend didn't go so well, so there's a long way to go and the pleasing thing is we haven't hit our straps yet," said Muliaina.

He likes the way his teammates are prepared to "ask questions of each other, push each other" at training.

And what chance Southland? Nil, based on their effort against Northland last Sunday, when they were well beaten but pinched a vital point to secure a quarter-final spot.

They will bring a nothing-to-lose mentality and if they can still be close going into the final quarter will have a chance. But if Waikato reprise their crushing first-half display against Harbour, it could be curtains for Southland by halftime.