The Hona experiment keeps it fast and loose

JASON Hona began his representative rugby career as an experiment, a converted loose-forward trying to survive on the wing.
He admits things were tough two years ago when he first made the switch as he battled injury, inexperience and a host of pacy outside backs targeting his defence.
Thanks to rugby's new rules, however, and some diligent preparation, the former New Zealand Schools No8 is threatening to become an innovator. He's one of the first Steamers picked every week and his unique set of skills has transformed the position.
"The wing game has moved more towards my strengths, especially at the higher levels," the 23-year-old admitted. "At club level you can still be small and fast and get away with it, but in the Air NZ Cup and above, wings have to field heaps of kicks and hold on to the ball in possession.
"It's how I used to train when I was playing No8, so I guess not much has changed - I probably got a head-start in that area."
Tonight's game against Tasman will be his 21st for the Steamers. He's scored two tries this season  and is starting to become confident about his role on the field. To date, he's also avoided the annoying injuries which disrupted the previous two seasons.
"I got knocked out in the first game of the year, but since then I've been sweet. I modified my training, especially in the gym. I was overloading too much and creating muscle imbalances, so I backed off from that a bit.
"Towards the end of last year, I seemed to be playing well, but then the season finished too early .. but luckily I've picked up from that this year."
Steamers assistant Steve Miln and former coach Kevin Schuler could see the raw potential in Hona's game two years ago, with a 1.90m, 98kg frame capable of running 4.93secs over 40m from a standing start.
But Miln admits it was more a case of inventing a position for the New Zealand sevens representative or risk losing him.
"At the time, we had a lot of loosies," Miln said. "We thought Jase should be involved and we didn't have any big, robust wingers in the union.
"This is his third year with his experiment as a winger and his preparation and lines are really coming together - he's really starting to get a handle on it.
"He's got an understanding of what it means to hold on to the ball and flight time and contact and cleaning rucks." 
Tonight he'll face a whole backline full of wingers. Tasman's backline include Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Lucky Mulipola, Kade Poki and Afeleki Pelenise, who are all fast and elusive. Cook and Pelenise - Hona's former sevens teammate - will fill the flank ranks and Hona hopes they keep things structured.
"A structured game is pretty easy. When you're playing riff-raff stuff, against teams like Counties when they're moving it all over the show, I still get caught out a bit.
"Teams like Canterbury and Auckland are far easier because you know what they're going to do and you can defend it."
Hona is used to change - he switched from his natural right foot to left foot punting as a  5-year-old and played halfback as a 13-year-old before a growth spurt saw him star as a schoolboy volleyballer.
Miln believes there may still be some tinkering with the Jason Hona Project.
"No-one really realises that he's probably one of the most skilled guys in the team in terms of his kicking. He can punt a ball incredibly well and he probably doesn't use that enough. He could probably play two or three positions in the backline and that could be something that might develop later on."