Rugby: Between a lock and a hard place

Kurtis Haiu has worked hard for his Super 14 spot and is keen to keep it. Photo / Getty Images

He is listed as a lock or flanker in the Blues squad, a "tweener" whose frame and skills allow him to shuffle into the second row or occupy the blindside flanker duties.

All Black Ali Williams, his younger brother, Jay, and another test player, Anthony Boric, make up the specialist locking list with some cover from Kurtis Haiu.

That help has been permanent so far this season with the Williams brothers removed by injury from the squad's initial offshore trip to Australia and South Africa, before Boric hit the casualty list on the team's return.

Haiu had his own dramas when he suffered a head knock against the Bulls and had to be replaced, although he returned for the final offshore contest against the Stormers. His selection tomorrow for the derby clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton is his sixth straight start at lock.

Not bad for a utility forward. Not bad for someone who was bypassed for the Blues in 2007.

That rejection turned out to be Haiu's impetus. He realised he had to work harder, Super 14 selection had to be earned, there was no automatic rollover from one season to the next.

His omission was his stimulus. Haiu was hurt by the decision but realised it was his fault. He had to work harder, he had to earn his place each season. He was picked up again last season by the Blues where he made a strong contribution with his lineout ability and athleticism before continuing that form into the NPC.

That improvement and consistency has been noted by new coach Pat Lam who chose Haiu for his Auckland debut in 2005 against the touring Lions. The utility is only 24 but his workrate, lineout skills and energy have continued to impress.

"He has been outstanding for the whole season," the coach said.

Lam noted the high energy from Haiu in the tackle counts, the rucks he hit and the extra carries he was making with the ball. He was vindicating the potential Lam saw in him four years ago.

Those who know the quiet tight forward have remarked on the efforts Haiu has made to be more involved, more responsible, more connected to the side. In his early days with the Blues, he had some issues with timekeeping, preparation and his temperament.

He has worked hard to smooth out those questions and, in the first part of this Super 14 series, he has been one of the Blues' best. He acknowledged he had to improve his discipline and that had brought its rewards so far this season.

His locking contribution has been immense after the injuries to the specialist second-rowers. Haiu has been a lineout banker for the Blues, his explosive leap allowing captain Keven Mealamu to hit him cleanly on most occasions.

Haiu acknowledged he had worked on his discipline this season, it was time to show more of the experience he had picked up since his introduction to the first-class rugby arena. He does not see himself as a stand-in either, someone keeping the jersey warm until Lam has a full complement to choose from.

"I hope that I can consistently perform and keep it up. I want to keep the position," he said.

That would be a battle when Williams and Boric were fully fit but that was his challenge and the motivation to push on in his development. Being surrounded by All Blacks in the tight five was a great environment for him to learn and soak up the lessons.

"They keep you honest, particularly Ali," Haiu said recently. "He keeps you on top of your game."