Hape remains in the present
January 20 2010
England squad member and Bath centre Shontayne Hape says he will stay focused on the task at hand: the Heineken Cup clash against Ulster.
Shape, as he is known by his team mates is pleased to be included in the England squad that will start training in Portugal next week. For the time being though there are more pressing matters at hand.
"For now I just want to keep my head down and work hard,"Shontayne told the club's official website.
"At the moment I am in the England squad but that does not guarantee me selection. I don't want to get ahead of myself and I also have a game to play in front of the Bath home crowd this weekend too."
The league convert ascribes much of his recent success to the players around him during his two years at the club.
"For me, I do feel it is a huge achievement to be named in the England squad having come from Rugby League and having been with Bath for just a year and a half. It has been hard work but I have enjoyed all of it and the players at Bath Rugby have always helped me out and the coaches keep steering me in the right direction.
"I am obviously aware that because I have come from Rugby League and am a cross code convert that people will have their opinions and I have no problem with that but others like Jason Robinson have done the same thing in the past and done well and I plan to give it my all."
Although he was born in New Zealand Shontayne has established a family and entrenched life in the UK over the past seven years.
"Obviously I am proud of where I come from in New Zealand but I have been living in the UK for several years and both of my sons were born here. It is part of my life now. I love the culture and my life here and if given the opportunity I'd be very proud to represent England.
"I am of course looking forward to playing alongside all of the England boys, especially Jonny Wilkinson, Riki Flutey and, of course, Matt Banahan. If I get the opportunity to take to the pitch, that will be cool, but as I said I just want to work hard and then see what happens."