When in Rome: Kiwi facing ABs
Hayward can’t wait to take on team he once dreamed of representing
Jayden Hayward emerged alongside Beauden Barrett in Taranaki, dreaming of wearing the black jersey.
This weekend in Rome, he achieves a different but equally fulfilling goal when he proudly challenges Barrett and the All Blacks.
Raised in Hawera, Hayward played
58 games for the amber and blacks, mainly in the midfield.
His Super Rugby career started alongside Ben Smith at the Highlanders in 2009, and he then teamed up with Dane Coles, TJ Perenara and Barrett, once again, after joining the Hurricanes two years later.
This week, he is preparing to oppose those former teammates in his 11th test for Italy.
“It will be interesting to see them on the field and catch up with them after and have a beer or two,” the
31-year-old says.
Former Northland and Blues lock Dean Budd, a now regular fixture in the Italian second row, is another waiting for a crack at his countrymen.
As he lets thoughts wander to this weekend, Hayward acknowledges what a special occasion it will be, especially with father Johan, wife Ana and son Noah, who turns three in January, all in attendance.
“It will be a highlight of my career to play against the All Blacks. I’m sure I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life.
“In terms of facing the haka and the anthem, I’ll try to embrace it and accept the challenge. It will be a wonderful feeling. I’m really excited.”
In the past two weeks, the All Blacks have faced converted Kiwis Brad Shields with England and Bundee Aki with Ireland. Former Hurricanes loose forward Blade Thomson was recently named in the Scotland squad, which also features Sean Maitland. Wales have adopted Gareth Anscombe and Hadleigh Parkes, and on it goes.
This trend of naturalising foreign talent is a controversial topic but, as Hayward explains, for those at the centre of such debates, it means the door is open to dreams not always within reach in New Zealand.
“Growing up in New Zealand, everyone wants to play for the All Blacks — that’s the ultimate goal. Realistically not everyone gets there.
“If players are keen to play international rugby and there are opportunities elsewhere, then they’re entitled to do that, otherwise they may never get the chance.”
When he first moved to Benetton Treviso in 2014 from the Western Force, where he made the switch to his now permanent fullback role, Hayward’s sights were not set on gaining residency and qualifying for Italy.
Only after arriving did he discovered the possibility of becoming eligible if he was willing to stay for at least one more season beyond the two he signed for.
“When I first told my family and friends I was going to Italy, they said ‘do they play rugby over there?’ We had a giggle about it but in my first
In terms of facing the haka and the anthem, I’ll try to embrace it and accept the challenge. It will be a wonderful feeling. I’m really excited.
couple of years, we were in the Champions Cup, playing the big-name European teams, and in the Pro14, you’ve got Leinster, Munster, Scarlets and the Scottish teams as well. All the international players are involved. “It’s a different style of rugby over here but it’s a tough competition.” At Treviso, Hayward is joined by fellow Kiwis Nasi Manu, Budd and Waikato hooker Hame Faiva. Taranaki legend Kieran Crowley took over as coach after arriving from Canada two years ago.
Hayward was previously coached by three of Crowley’s brothers at agegrade and representative level after emerging through the Kaponga club where his family is revered. Hayward’s Italian remains scratchy but he now knows the anthem by heart and his test debut, victory over Fiji this time last year in Catania, Sicily, caught him somewhat off-guard.
“I didn’t cry or anything, but singing the anthem, the emotions and pride were there. It was a good start.” Italy’s presence in the Six Nations has come under increasing threat, with their stats making ugly reading. In that competition, they have lost 17 in a row, winning only 12 of 93 tests in the past 16 years, with fourth-place finishes in 2007 and 2013 their best efforts.
Such struggles fuelled debate that Georgia were more deserving of inclusion, or at least a shot in some form of promotion-relegation fixture.
Two weeks ago, the Italians quelled that debate with a 28-17 victory which lifted them above Georgia to 14th in the World Rugby rankings. They then pushed the Wallabies, losing 26-7 last week.
“We’re definitely improving and working hard as a squad to fix up areas of our game. The game against Georgia was big for us because there had been a lot of talk about them being in the Six Nations and replacing Italy, so it was good to get the win and move on to Australia.
“As a team, we played well against Australia — just maybe a couple of key moments, we let ourselves down. Hopefully after the All Blacks, we’ll get a feel for where we are at.
“Everyone in the camp is pretty excited to play the No 1 team in the world. To test ourselves against them individually and as a team is a great challenge. We’ll just go out and play the best we can.”
With the food, wine, coffee and close proximity to the likes of Switzerland, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, Hayward has savoured his time in Italy.
Squaring off against the All Blacks will top off a journey he once never thought possible.
“It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve got to see a lot of places and experience the Italian culture. It’s been a dream come true.”
Kiwi-Italian Jayden Hayward