An All Black Dressed In White
As a proud New Zealander growing up in Auckland, this man has made an incredible journey. It's a journey that has taken him from rugby league side New Zealand Warriors, to Super League side Bradford Bulls and since 2008 a change of codes brought him to union side Bath. Now he is a starring figure in Martin Johnson's England side wearing the number 12 shirt.
The Bath centre decided to play for the country of his choice against the country of his birth. After winning 14 caps for the Kiwis, New Zealand's international league side, he felt it was time to move on joining Riki Flutey and Dylan Hartley as the third New Zealand-born player in the England squad.
But for Shontayne Hape, there is one goal in this journey that he wants more then ever, and that is to represent his adopted nation in the 2011 Rugby World Cup held in his native country New Zealand.
"If I do get to go on that trip it will be awesome, said Hape. "It will be a special occasion if I get to go out there because it's back where I was born and New Zealand's a lovely place to visit anyway. There are high expectations for England after the win in 2003 and reaching the final in 2007 and I want to be a part of these expectations.
Hape has certainly come a long way but it was in his time at Bradford Bulls that he fell in love with the English game becoming an icon in the process. He touched down 85 times in 136 matches for the Bulls, making him one of their greatest ever players. His formidable partnership with Lesley Vainikolo, now of Gloucester rugby, was one for the Bulls fans to savour after they scored 227 tries between them in five seasons.
When he arrived at Odsal, Hape was asked what his goals were for his debut season and he said that he 'wanted to win the Grand Final and the Challenge Cup' which is exaclty what he did. The New Zealander won two championships in 2003 and 2005 along with the Challenge Cup and two World Club Championships. Hape was becoming a hero so much that he was even voted into the Bulls team of the century in 2007. But during the 2008 season Hape decided it was time to move on as he made the switch to join Bath.
"It was a really difficult descision because the Bulls have done so much for me, Hape remembered. "I will always remember my times at Bradford as successful and happy times but I am excited about the change, Bath have tremendous potential.
In his time at Bath, Hape started to show signs of the quality from which we saw at the Bulls. This led to his first England call-up for the two tests agaisnt Australia in June 2010. It wasn't easy for him to come up against a strong Australian side and their backs were running rings round him leading to an England loss. A draw in the second match took some of the pressure of Hape but it was a tough start to his international career.
Hape kept working on his game at Bath, trying to adjust to the rules whilst making significant contributions for the team. The 2011 RBS Six Nations has recently ended and Hape wasn't just a shock inclusion in the sqaud, he also started every match in the campaign. This was a much talked about descision as many argue Hape doesn't have the experience but Martin Johnson stated: "Shontayne is ready for this .
After five tough matches, England came out as winners of the Six Nations with their only defeat coming against Ireland. This triumph is another one for Hape to add to his collection and once again it has came so early in his career for England. Although Hape didn't stand out as being a top performer in the tournament he still played a part in a winning side and he knew that. "I was just glad to be playing so much and I'm so glad I could help England win the Six Nations, said Hape.
Now at the age of 30, the instrumental Hape will be looking for the same kind of glory at this summers World Cup. As he featured so much in the Six Nations it is likely that he will earn a place in the squad. With his experience of playing in New Zealand, he could be the key to England's plans. It would also be an emotional time for him as he has played for the hosts aswell as England.
Hape said: "I'm proud of what I am, of where I come from, but life leads people in different directions. I see this as a special moment in my life, one to be remembered. I still have the New Zealand jersey I wore in my first league international, and I still have the England jersey from the Test in Perth.
One thing is for sure, Hape has so far had a career built around success including the recent Six Nations so if he is a part of the England set-up then get ready to perhaps see him and England go all they way.
