Rugby: First five hungry to make his mark

Daniel Kirkpatrick has been retained as pivot for the Hurricanes. Photo / Supplied

From warming the bench for Hawkes Bay in rugby's national provincial championship to Super 15 starter for the Hurricanes, and supplanting an All Black in the process, it has been a topsy-turvy six months for first five-eighths Daniel Kirkpatrick.

Retained as pivot by Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett for tomorrow night's match against the Rebels ahead of six-test All Black Aaron Cruden, the 22-year-old is anxious to back up an assured display in the 44-17 defeat by the Blues with another strong performance in Melbourne.

"It's good to get the opportunity to start and I was pretty happy with the way I played. Now I have to try and build on that," he said.

He is only too aware of the pressure to perform with Cruden vying for the No 10 jersey, but stresses the pair have a good relationship.

"Obviously we're both competing for the same spot and there's going to be competition. We both help each other out and work together. Being both tens we have to be on the same page for the team," he said.

Only last September, Kirkpatrick was where Cruden is now - on the reserves bench. From being the first-choice first five-eighths in his debut season for the Magpies, within six weeks he was replaced by halfback Kahn Fotuali'i in the No 10 jersey.

It appeared his promising career - he was named player of the tournament at the under-20 World Cup in 2008 - had been halted in its tracks.

But the Hawkes Bay product is determined to make the most of his second chance with the Hurricanes, a franchise he debuted for in 2009 before spending last season at the Blues.

"My focus is holding my spot here and putting pressure on myself to keep performing. I'm really enjoying the opportunity to have a start and need to make the most of that."

The only change to the Hurricanes' match-day squad sees flanker Serge Lilo, recovered from a knee injury, oust Mark Reddish on the bench.

Faifili Levave, who replaced Lilo in the starting lineup against the Blues, remains at blindside flanker.

The Rebels, who have been inconsistent at best in their debut Super 15 season, are a side Kirkpatrick is wary of.

"A team like theirs can be dangerous. They have some classy players, experienced players, and we have to make sure we contain them so we can play our own game."

- NZPA