Toeava counts his blessings

Isaia Toeava says it's a blessing in disguise that the Blues didn't want him.

Now that he's loving Wellington, enjoying his rugby and getting a regular starting spot in the Super 14 competition, the Hurricanes fullback says he couldn't have asked for more.

Does he want a permanent move to the capital?

Toeava, 20 and the bolter in the All Blacks that achieved the Grand Slam late last year, didn't want to say.

"I'm learning heaps here [in Wellington]. The boys just tell me what I'm doing wrong and that gives me confidence. Ma'a [Nonu] and Tana [Umaga] help me out a lot.

"I'm loving it here, I'm enjoying the game and there are good and helpful people in the game around me."

Toeava wasn't wanted by the Blues last year so the Hurricanes picked up the All Black and International Rugby Board under-19 player of the year and he's been their No 1 fullback since.

Ironically, his backup in the regular Hurricanes playing squad has been Shannon Paku, another player unwanted by the Blues after they had "bought" him from Wellington.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has been careful with Toeava, nurturing him through games without applying the pressure he normally puts on senior members of the side.

"He's just so young, you have to give him a chance to find his feet for a while," Cooper said.

The 1.81m tall, 92kg Samoan-born utility, who is capable of playing anywhere from 10 to 15, has shown flashes of his potential in the strong Hurricanes' backline.

"Things are coming off for me. That's because I'm feeling more and more at home with each game [in the backline]," Toeava said.

But he was more guarded about the team's latest assignment - taking on the unbeaten Crusaders at the sold-out Westpac Stadium in Wellington tonight.

"I better not say too much. They set the benchmark, they are unbeaten, have no real weakness and it's going to be a real test for us - individually and as a team.

"If you look through the team and the way they have been playing and winning, they're a well-balanced side in the backs and the forwards."

The major obstacle for the Hurricanes will be in the forward play, where the Crusaders have shown more efficiency in supplying their backline better ball to attack with.

"Their lineouts have been good this year because they've got mostly All Blacks there - a lot of experience," Toeava said.

He was looking forward to taking on All Black fullback Leon MacDonald to see how he measured up. "He's solid all round, he's very good front-on - probably the best for that game.

"Auckland have so much talent in the backs. They haven't really shown it. I think it was a blessing in disguise they didn't pick me and I came down here."

The top-of-the-table clash is capturing much interest in all three countries involved in the competition as the Crusaders, with 27 points, are unbeaten and have a game in hand and the Hurricanes share the lead with the Waratahs on 28 points each.

The Hurricanes' hopes have been boosted by the inclusion of halfback Piri Weepu.

Weepu was in hospital this week with a mysterious bug but took full part in yesterday's captain's run.

Lock Jason Eaton returns to the team, replacing Luke Andrews, and John Schwalger has replaced Joe McDonnell at loosehead prop.

- NZPA