RUGBY - Lomu of women's game eyes away win

SHANE HURNDELL
Once upon a time Piki Solomon hated the regular comparisons between herself and rugby superstar Jonah Lomu.
In recent seasons the Bluewater Hotel Hawke's Bay Tuis women's rugby winger has accepted them.
"If it means more exposure for women's rugby ... more media and more supporters involved them I'm happy with it," said Solomon before the Tuis flew south this morning to prepare for tomorrow's second round NPC clash against her former Otago union in Dunedin.
Since her arrival in the Bay at the start of the winter former Black Fern Solomon, 25, has been bombarded with the comparisons.
SportToday got in on the act quickly and 9- and 10-year-olds on the sidelines at Farndon Park regularly yelled out "Go Jonah" when she got the ball in her club matches for Clive.
After a quiet start to the NPC by her own high standards during the Tuis 27-20 loss to Canterbury last weekend Solomon is eager to return to her Lomu-type form tomorrow.
"I wasn't 100 per cent against Canterbury because I rolled an ankle but I'm OK now," said Solomon.
The social worker at the Camberley and Irongate schools will have an extra incentive to help the Tuis get on the winning track. Two car-loads of family members will be travelling from her home town of Riverton in Southland to Dunedin for the game.
"After the game I'll travel home to Riverton so I can have a few days with the family before I return to the Bay in time for next Thursday night's training with the Tuis," said Solomon.
After seven seasons with the Otago team Solomon said she is enjoying her time with the Tuis.
"Up here it's a more laid-back whanau-type approach to the game. Cheryl [Tuis coach Cheryl Heremia] relies on relationships and friendship to bring the team together but down there it's more an army camp-style.
"It will be interesting to see which style prevails tomorrow," said Solomon.
The 2005 Black Fern said the Otago Spirit side tend to rely on structured moves to score their points while the Tuis are able to use their natural flair more.
Asked if she had any plans to add to her two games for the Black Ferns, Solomon replied her career and the Tuis are her focus now. She is one of four former Otago reps in the Tuis side hoping for a triumphant return to Dunedin. The others are in-form fullback Maia Tua-Davidson, centre Claire Richardson and flanker Shannon Willoughby. The latter two were members of the 2006 World Cup-winning Black Ferns side along with Tuis first five-eighth Amy Williams.
"There have been a few texts flowing our way from former teammates. They're just as excited about the game as us which is good," said Solomon.
The Tuis know if they are to be successful tomorrow they must restrict the attacking opportunities of Black Ferns speedster Carla Hohepa. They are expecting her to be on the left wing and have put reliable defender Te Maari MacGregor up against her.
"It will be interesting if they switch her to the right wing. If I have to mark her I'll give it a good go," added Solomon.