Haining thriving with hectic double schedule
NICK HAINING has had quite the few weeks. Earlier this month, the Edinburgh flanker made his international debut, making it into Gregor Townsend’s starting XV for his first cap. Then, a week later, he made his first international appearance at Murrayfield when he came on as a replacement against England.
The Australian-born backrow then came back to his club side last weekend and played all 80 minutes of the capital club’s win against Connacht. So there has, says Haining, been little time to catch his breath.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind last month,” he said. “I’ve been enjoying it, though.”
Haining may have been thrown in at the deep end when it comes to international duty, but he has dealt with it all admirably despite, as he admits himself, feeling more than a few nerves ahead of making his Scotland debut.
The past month has been quite a learning curve but having so many of his Edinburgh team-mates alongside him in the Scotland camp helped him settle in nicely.
“It was a big surprise to start in the Ireland game and I was quite nervous at the time,” he said.
“I’ve learned a lot since we’ve been [in the Scotland camp]. It’s very accelerated learning – you have to go in and learn everything very quickly. But it’s helped with having all the Edinburgh boys around.
“My two appearances were all right. There were obviously a few things to work on as well
– being my first international caps, there’s always stuff to work on.
“But I was quite happy with the games and, moving forward, I’ll hopefully get another shot.”
Haining will rejoin Gregor Townsend’s squad next week ahead of the France clash a week on Sunday but before that, he has the not insignificant matter of his club facing Cardiff at Murrayfield in the PRO14 tomorrow evening.
Edinburgh are in a fine run of form are currently sitting pretty at the top of their conference, three points clear of Munster.
Richard Cockerill’s men have already taken ten points from a possible ten during the Six Nations window, which is quite an achievement considering how many players are on international duty.
Another bonus point win tomorrow would see Edinburgh in an excellent position going into the two-week break in the league but Haining is well aware of the threat posed by Cardiff and so is not looking too far ahead.
“I think it’s a testament to everyone in the squad and the depth that we do have to have got those results so far,” he said.
“It wasn’t an easy game at Scarlets but we ground out the win, then we had a good performance against Connacht last weekend.
“We’re confident going into Cardiff and we think we can really take max points from that and not give them anything.
“They’ll be a good side – they’ve got a depth in their squad, they’re a good team, they’ve got good players but we’re in good form at the moment and we’re confident.”
Haining may only have been at Edinburgh less than a year but he has formed a bond with the club and the city already. And while nothing is certain in the world of professional rugby, Haining is clear that he would be happy to be at the club for the long-term.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far - it’s been a great year,”he said.
“I’m 29 now, so I don’t know [what will happen], we’ll have to see, but yeah, I would like to see out my career here if I could.”