News

Hape admits union interest

August 12 2008

Cross-code convert Shontayne Hape has claimed more players are set to move to rugby union after receiving a number of phone calls from interested individuals.

The New Zealand rugby league international ended his association with the thirteen-a-side code after agreeing a three-year deal at Bath.

Hape made a huge impact in Super League with Bradford and will join fellow former rugby league stars Lesley Vainikolo, Andy Farrell and Chris Ashton in the Premiership this season.

And he has no doubt that he will be followed across the divide by more players in the future.

"You will see a lot more guys making the switch," Hape said.

"Since I made the switch, I've had guys who I don't want to name ringing me up and saying they are interested in coming over to union.

"They see that union is at a really good level now, whereas five years ago, maybe the Premiership was a little lower profile, but the game has really picked up."

Hape decision to join Bath came a year after former team-mate Vainikolo opted to quit the Bulls for Gloucester.

The centre has remained in contact with 'The Volcano' - with Vainikolo full of praise of life in union - and could well follow him into the England side having qualified under the residency ruling.

"Myself and Lesley had talked about wanting to switch codes. He left Bradford earlier than planned, but we kept close contact," he continued.

"I knew I wanted to make the switch as well, so having decided that, it was then about finding a club that was going to suit me.

"I had a couple of agents looking for me, and when the opportunity arose to come to Bath after Olly (Barkley) had signed for Gloucester, I knew it was the place I wanted to be.

"The reason why I chose to switch now was because I felt I had achieved everything at Bradford, and I felt it was better to do it now, rather than leave it to a later date and think 'what if?'

"All the feedback from Lesley about rugby union was positive, and I thought I would really like to be in that position as well.

"For me, it is about making the switch, learning the rules and my first goal of making the Bath starting line-up.

"You can't really ask someone if they want to play for England if they are sitting in the stand watching.

"There is so much competition for places at Bath, which is the main thing I need to focus on. It is a challenge for me."