Southlander bides time for Highlanders opportunity
Hayden Michaels is loving being part of a professional environment.
The 22-year-old Southland Stags flanker is yet to debut for Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders, but he’s happy waiting in the wings.
Having debuted for the Stags in 2021, Super Rugby looked the next destination for Michaels, who won a world championship title with the New Zealand under-20 side in 2022.
The openside flanker was stuck behind Highlanders captain Billy Harmon and fellow Southland Stags recruit Sean Withy, the team’s two standouts, week in, week out.
“It’s real good, I am loving the environment. The game time will come when it comes, I am just thriving and learning off the guys in the front of me, like Billy, Sean and Hugh Renton,” Michaels said.
“We do get it pretty lucky being able to train full time and focus on rugby. Being in the system is a big help.”
The 22-year-old said he was also loving having a few other Southland team-mates in the Highlanders.
“It’s awesome seeing them all get a crack. The more Stags we can get in there and in and around the environment the better, especially for Southland. Hopefully in the next couple of years we can get a few more boys playing for the Highlanders.”
He said it was great having Withy return to the Southland set up this year.
“It’s cool having him come back. It will be good to have the competition and I will do whatever I can to get out there alongside him.”
Michaels said the Stags contingent in the Highlanders had quietly been working on Welsh first five-eighth Rhys Patchell and trying to get him to don the Southland colours later in the year.
“He’s a good rooster with a ton of experience and we’re trying to get him to stay in New Zealand a bit longer and line up for the Stags. His knowledge is crazy and he’s great with the young fellas.”
He had started getting into golf outside of rugby alongside fellow Gore lad Cam Millar.
“It’s certainly a real eye-opener, golf. It can be frustrating but it’s good fun and a few of us boys are getting into it.”
Michaels was currently lining up for Kaikorai on a Saturday but he was hoping to make a sneaky appearance for Blues this season, potentially in the 150th jubilee match against Star.
“Hopefully I can get the go-ahead and lace up for that match. It will be a pretty big weekend for the club and a cool occasion to be part of. Any chance to play for Blues is always a good one.”
He visited Invercargill during the school holidays with fellow Highlanders, Ayden Johnstone, Finn Hurley, Max Hicks, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga Jensen and development welfare manager Nasi Manu signing autographs and taking photos with fans at SBS.
The Highlanders had lost five straight games before returning to winning ways against the Force and face Moana Pasifika in Tonga this weekend.
Withy and replacement hooker Jack Taylor were the only two Stags in the Highlanders lineup, while winger Viliami Fine was playing for Moana Pasifika.