IMAGE: Stuff.co.nz
IHAIA West has a tough assignment on Sunday in the Hawkes Bay Magpies’ semi-final clash against Otago in Dunedin.
The Magpies first five-eighth has had a stellar year in the number 10 jersey but this will be his biggest test of the season.
Not only is he playing in Dunedin in a semi-final clash, this is the time of the year
when Super Rugby selections are on the line.
With the Wellington Hurricanes signing Tasman first five-eighth, Marty Banks, the Otago Highlanders look to be a real possibility for West.
He will want to prove to selectors he has the goods especially down in Dunedin on the big stage of finals rugby.
West has not received any offers from a Super Rugby franchise this season.
“No, I haven’t heard anything,” West said in an interview with NewsWire this week.
The Napier Boys High School product started leading teams at a young age.
He played in the key No 10 role for the school’s highly rated First XV before going on to represent the New Zealand under 20s.
He was also a gifted cricketer during high school, captaining the First X1 in Year 12.
That background suggests he has the leadership experience needed in finals rugby.
“Big games are where you need to step up so that selectors can see how you handle the pressure,” West said.
Asked what he does to prepare for games, West said he focused on what the team needed.
“We have meetings with the coaches and they tell us what they are looking to do.”
Following an upset against the Wellington Lions, the Magpies and West are coming into the game with good form.
“We have done a bit of homework on Otago and we will look to hold onto ball and play with it,” said West.
“We will be looking to build phases, basically what we have been doing over the last few weeks.”
Travel will no longer be an issue for the Magpies as it was earlier in the week.
Initially the Magpies were flying from Hawkes Bay to Auckland, then onto Christchurch followed by a bus to Dunedin.
Flights were in high demand ahead of the All Blacks test.
Due to a cancellation, however, they now have a direct flight from Auckland to Dunedin taking the long bus trip out of the equation.