ITM Cup: Hickey puts cricket on hold

Jono Hickey lives in Auckland but plays his club cricket in Counties and is contracted to the Northern Knights. Photo / Nick Reed

Northern Knights batsman's accurate boot and smart play lands him halfback role.

Jono Hickey may have to hold off getting in the nets and hitting some cricket balls.

The 24-year-old batsman is contracted to the Northern Knights but he is enjoying another gig at the moment - playing halfback and kicking goals for the Auckland rugby team.

Things fell into place for him after injuries in the No9 position left Auckland short in that area.

Hickey was, in the meantime, performing well for the eventual Gallaher Shield club champions Grammar TEC.

His accurate goalkicking and smart play around the field has impressed Auckland coach Paul Feeney, although he finds himself on the bench to face Canterbury tomorrow, due to rotation rather than form.

"It's been good to get a crack. It's definitely a step up from club footy and nice to get a couple of kicks over. I enjoy having those duties," said the older Hickey, who adds that he has no issues being captained by brother Simon, nearly three years his junior.

If Auckland make the Premiership final at Labour weekend, Hickey senior will have to wait to join Northern Knights training, but doubts whether he would be a starter for the Plunket Shield squad anyway, as the Black Caps are available for the first two rounds.

"I'm targeting more the white ball cricket, Twenty20s possibly, but more likely the one-dayers," he said.

Hickey lives in Auckland but plays his club cricket in Counties. Super Rugby thoughts have scarcely entered his mind.

That would be some bonus and give him contracts in two different codes.

Feeney has rung five changes. Japanese halfback Kaito Shigeno will wear the No9 jersey tomorrow, Bryce Heem will start again on the wing, Rieko Ioane slots into centre for his run-on debut, and prop Charlie Faumuina makes his long-awaited return.

Feeney confirmed that Auckland were hoping to get 40 minutes out of Faumuina in what will be his first rugby for months. He is the sort of player who needs match fitness, so this will the starting point, probably marking Joe Moody, ahead of Sunday's Rugby World Cup selection.

No8 Airi Hunt will debut for Auckland off the bench, having already appeared for the Blues this year.

Auckland have not lost on Eden Park since 2011, so a 2.35pm Saturday kickoff against their great rivals and competition bench-setters Canterbury should draw close to 10,000.

"I hope there'll be a big crowd. There's going to be plenty of rugby played. They have attacking threats all over the park, as we have.

"Hopefully the weather gods will play their part," said Feeney, whose old North Harbour teammate Allan Pollock is helping out in a technical advisory role.