Rugby: Hurricanes playing down Umaga factor

Tana who?

Tana Umaga's return to Wellington as an opposition player for the first time will no doubt dominate newspaper columns and talkback radio in the leadup to the Hurricanes' Super 15 rugby match against the Chiefs tomorrow.

But you could be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about when listening to Jayden Hayward.

In his first match for the franchise the Hurricanes second five-eighth will oppose Umaga, but he was quick to downplay the significance of the former Wellington, Hurricanes and All Blacks stalwart's return to the capital for the first time since his departure for France four years ago.

Hayward marked Umaga when playing for Taranaki against Counties-Manukau in last year's national provincial championship and, while respectful of the 37-year-old former All Blacks captain, he did not appear overawed.

"He's a good player, isn't he?," Hayward politely offered.

"But I don't look into (the matchup). If I start worrying about him things will start going wrong. The same goes for the team, we can't worry about them, as soon as we do that we're going to be off our game. If we concentrate on us we'll be right."

Hayward, 23, made nine appearances for the Highlanders across 2009 and 2010 but will start his first match for the Hurricanes tomorrow, replacing the suspended Ma'a Nonu.

It is a debut which has been three weeks in the making following the cancelled match against the Crusaders because of the Christchurch earthquake and a bye week, and the Hawera-born midfielder admits his feet have become itchier.

"It was obviously disappointing not to play against the Crusaders but it was a huge disaster down there and I'm just excited and raring to go to get out there on Saturday," he told NZPA.

Hayward is one of five changes made by Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett following a competition-opening 9-14 loss to the Highlanders way back on February 18.

Andre Taylor replaces the injured Hosea Gear on the wing, Chris Eaton gets the nod over Tyson Keats at halfback, while prop Neemia Tialata comes in for Michael Bent and Serge Lilo starts at No 7 with Jack Lam moving to the blindside flank and Mark Reddish dropping to the reserves bench.

Midfielder Charlie Ngatai will make his Super debut if he gets a run off the bench.

The selection of Lilo and Lam either side of the scrum gives the Hurricanes speed and mobility which they hope will counter Chiefs flyers Tanerau Latimer and Scott Waldrom.

"They have been going well and they're pretty mobile and skilful as well, but so are ours so it's going to be a great challenge," Hammett said.

The Hurricanes' focus has been to eliminate their breakdown issues as well as the silly penalties that blighted their opening match.

"The great thing about sport is you always get a crack the next week, unfortunately we didn't, or the week after, so we're really keen to get out there. The boys are starting to get a bit niggly with each other so you can tell they're ready," said Hammett, who played down the significance of the break between matches.

"It hasn't been ideal but it's not something we could control. We can control what we do at the weekend and we want to put in an effort that our fans will be proud of."

- NZPA