Despite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s shocking season-ending knee injury last Saturday against the Bulldogs, the battle for places in the Kiwi Test side remains as intense as ever.
Penrith’s Peta Hiku, who last represented his country at five-eighth on New Zealand’s UK tour late last year, has been playing at left centre since making the sudden switch from Manly over the off-season, ideally would love to play at fullback.
However the nine-Test Kiwi admits that with the likes of Tuimoala Lolohea, Jordan Kahu, Jason Nightingale and even teammate, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also in the mix, he will be just happy if he retains his place in the New Zealand 17-man squad, such is the depth currently available at coach Stephen Kearney’s disposal.
“We have a lot of talent to pick from.”
“A couple more years and it won’t even be as easy as it is now because there’s even more potential coming through our younger ages.”
“We’ve got a few young boys here already and there’s so much to pick from so I’m glad I’m not a selector and deal with those hard decisions.”
“I’m playing centre at the moment but playing for my country is everything and it’s something I love to do every year.”
“I’d do it every game if I could. As long as I get selected I’d play anywhere in the team and anywhere he (Kearney) puts me I’d play my heart out for my country.”
Hiku remains hopeful that it will be a case of third time for his Kiwi teammate, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has been selected twice previously to make his debut for his country only to have those dreams shattered firstly by injury, then suspension.
“It would be good for him to get his debut for the Kiwis this year and I’m hoping he does,” Hiku stated.
“But if he (Dallin) gets the opportunity he’s got to stay out of trouble or not do anything bad to himself.”
“I don’t know if he thinks the same but one hundred percent I think he’ll get a turn in a black and white jumper.”
Hiku says while he is adjusting well to life at the Panthers, he admits he still has much to learn especially in defence, as he gets used to being a specialist left centre, given he played chiefly as a winger or fullback in his 61 NRL games at former club, Manly.
“It’s been good. Hook said that he’ll help me out once I came here and I think he’s been doing a good job with me out there (in that left centre position),” Hiku said.
“I still have a lot to learn playing in the centres but he’s starting me there every week which has been good.”
“We’re working hard on our defence which is a big part of our game.”
That left edge defence won’t get a better opportunity to prove themselves when they face up to the Sharks’ right edge attack (James Maloney, Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes) who are in ominous form after their big 40-16 win over Canberra last Sunday.
But while Penrith’s left edge defence has at times has been found wanting as combinations continue to form, Hiku says Cronulla has plenty of attacking firepower across the park that the Panthers will need to handle.
“We’ve got to focus on ourselves and just worry about what we’ve got to do,” Hiku said.
“But they have a very good side, not only their right side but they also have a strong left side so we’ll have to work hard right around the park.”
But Hiku, who has played every game thus far in 2016, scoring four tries in the process, says despite the tough win on Monday night, the team has pulled up well and will be looking to make it two wins in a row for the first time in 2016.
“We’ve got a couple of bumps and bruises but that’s footy it happens every week,” Hiku said.
“Monday night was a tough game but with the recovery here the last couple of days, it’s been pretty good.”
“I think we’re getting better and better each week.”
“We’ve got a young side and everyone here is willing to learn.”
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