Rugby: Youthful Hickey gets nod to lead fresh-faced Aucklanders

Simon Hickey. Photo / Getty Images

Simon Hickey may well be the youngest Auckland captain in the 132-year history of the union.

At just 21 years and seven months, Hickey is the anointed one to lead a very young Premiership side in their quest for a first provincial title since 2007. Of those who have led Auckland in the professional era, Paul Thomson, Xavier Rush and Benson Stanley were all 24 when given the captaincy armband.

"I wasn't expecting it, especially at this age. I'm keen to solidify a place in the team, but I'm stoked (at this news) and looking forward to the year," said the first five, anxious to emerge from the shadow of Gareth Anscombe, now playing international rugby for Wales.

Hickey skippered the New Zealand Under 20s at the 2014 Junior World Championship in New Zealand, but his tournament was cut short by injury. His only other captaincy experience of note was in one match for his King's College First XV in 2011, a loss in the 1A semifinals. He shone in his first year out of school in 2012, and played well for Auckland in 2013, but his 2014 campaign saw just three starts, as Anscombe ran the cutter.

"I've been fortunate to play under some good captains in Luke Braid, Hadleigh Parkes and Tom McCartney, so I've learned from them about what it means," said Hickey.

After a frustrating season with the Blues, where he went from the top pivot to No 3 in the pecking order in 12 months, Hickey returned to his Grammar TEC club and enjoyed a fine run of form, taking them to the Gallaher Shield title. But in that July 25 club final, after slotting four from four, he injured his knee and has played no part in Auckland's 3-0 pre-season campaign, though he did say he was a chance to feature in Thursday night's ITM Cup opener against Southland in Invercargill.

Among those Hickey will captain are his club skipper, lock Scott Scrafton, who has just two Auckland first-class games under his belt, and older brother Jono, whose work from halfback has sealed a place in the squad.

"It is a young squad. It's something we're trying to embrace as opposed to being worried or scared by it. We want to bring that enthusiasm that I suppose comes with younger guys,' said Hickey.

Auckland coach Paul Feeney is confident Hickey can do the job.

"Simon has a great understanding of the game and has obvious leadership qualities. It will be his fourth campaign for Auckland and we are confident we will lead from the front and carry on the great work our Auckland captains have done in the past. He has a strong, young leadership group around him who are all excited about the season ahead," he said.

While it is not uppermost in his mind at this juncture, Hickey is playing for a Super Rugby deal, having come off contract with the Blues. Individual and team success, and a continuation of his sharpshooting off the tee, will only aid his cause to impress Tana Umaga et al for 2016.