David Leggat: Spongebob thinks outside the square

Hands up those who expected the Hurricanes to be two from two overseas, sitting a point off the lead going into the weekend's third round and being the leading New Zealand team.

Didn't think so. But there they are, just behind perennial early flyers the Waratahs, and level with the formidable Brumbies as they go into their match against the bottom-placed Sharks in Durban early tomorrow.

Of that backline which ran rings round the Cats last weekend, Piri Weepu and Conrad Smith became All Blacks late last year, Ma'a Nonu's talents were already known, Tane Tuipulotu has been round a while, while Lome Fa'atau and Brent Ward are good quality, experienced performers.

Which leaves 21-year-old Jimmy Gopperth, whose play at first five-eighth on his Super 12 debut has been a revelation, except to the Hurricanes management.

He got the start in the opening round against the Reds and blossomed against the Cats to help set up the 45-32 win.

So who is this footballer who has assistant coach Murray Roulston raving over his potential?

His talent won't be a surprise to his peers. He was in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team which thumped England 33-7 at Carisbrook four years ago (his fellow backs included Joe Rokocoko, Ben Atiga and Luke McAlister).

His Wellington debut came the following year when he was learning his craft at the provincial union's academy, and last year he was part of the New Zealand team which defended its under 21 world crown with a 47-19 win over Ireland in Glasgow.

Now he's cracked the Hurricanes and is relishing the challenge.

"I was very rapt and privileged to get the start. I've played for the Hurricanes development team for a couple of years and you watch and think, 'am I going to be there one day?' I was fully stoked," he said of his debut against the Reds in the 24-10 opening round win in Brisbane.

Nerves? "They weren't that bad. I made a few mistakes but generally I was pretty happy."

However a player with less self belief may have shrunk when an early pass he flung was intercepted by his opposite Andre Pretorius who ran away to score for the Cats.

Not the young man known to his team-mates as Spongebob (more on that later).

"The boys said don't worry about it. You can't keep dwelling on that, got to push forward."

So he did, scoring one try, having a prominent hand in a couple of others, kicking six goals and showing some slashing running skills.

He's pleased to have got a couple of games against South African sides under his belt early. Their forwards are invariably big bruisers, bigger than Australian or New Zealand packs, and if he's going to be banged about, better he find out what it's like sooner than later.

"It's been as hard as I expected. It's a lot faster than NPC rugby.

"But we are a really fit team, and our conditioning has helped. That's made it a bit easier."

There is a gee whizz element about the amiable young bloke who left New Plymouth Boys' High in 2001 and headed south to develop his rugby.

They've got something going at that academy by the look of the recent graduates. Alongside Gopperth were prop Neemia Tialata and his halfback mate Weepu. Others to emerge in recent times include prop Tim Fairbrother, lock Ross Kennedy and loose forward Thomas Waldrom, all part of the Hurricanes squad this year.

Roulston is delighted by what they've seen from Gopperth. He got the Reds start in part because of his pre-season form plus the more experienced Riki Flutey had an injury. From there, there's been no looking back.

"He's just grown every game he's taken the field," Roulston said.

"He's got all the attributes you'd want. It's just about applying it in the pressure of battle.

"He's an attacker, a defender, he's well balanced, can kick tactically with both feet and is an outstanding goalkicker."

The Pretorius moment showed he's got tons of self belief - the right sort, Roulston insisted. "He's not big-headed, but he's a very confident kid. Sure he'll make the odd mistake but he'll do so many good things."

And as for the future?

"He'll play at the highest level he wants to. It's going to be up to him. He's definitely got it all."

Which sounds a bit like ...

"For sure," said Gopperth of his All Black ambitions. "But you've got to take one step at a time and whatever comes, it comes as a bonus.

"It's always been a dream. Who knows. One day maybe."

And that nickname, which comes from cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants?

"It came up last year with the [Wellington] Lions. One of the Waldrom brothers gave it to me. The character is shaped very square and they reckon I've got real square shoulders."

In a New Zealand sporting world where imagination often extends only as far as adding a 'y' to a surname, at least it's original.

For now, Gopperth is soaking up his Super 12 experience. He's hit the ground running in a franchise who have a reputation for extreme form swings.

A win over the Sharks tomorrow would be the clearest hint yet that the Hurricanes are up for a big year.

"The team culture is pretty outstanding, one of the best I've ever been in. It's all clicking together," Gopperth said. "Everyone's on the same wavelength as the coaches.

"It's probably a cliche, but everyone's like one big happy family."

Yes it is, and it certainly looks like it.