Jayden Hayward has got his apprenticeship off the field -
this season he wants to earn his stripes on the field.
Hayward (22) is in his second year with the Highlanders and
is keen to build on what he learned last season.
Hayward, who has completed an electrical apprenticeship, was
something of a surprise pick by the Highlanders last year
after playing one season with Taranaki.
But the second five-eighth did enough in that 2008 season to
impress Highlanders coach Glenn Moore who brought the
youngster south.
Moore did not overuse him last year - he played four games -
but this year appears to be the one where Hayward is due to
make an impact.
"Last year when I came down I was the new boy in the team and
just wanted to learn off people around me. Hopefully, this
year I can offer some things back," Hayward said.
"That first time I came down I had just played the one season
with Taranaki and when I arrived it was a completely
different level. Just in everything, in the attack and in the
defence, the way we trained. With Taranaki you find that
there is a bit more of a spread of ability among the players
you play with and against. Here everyone is at that higher
level."
Moore speaks highly of Hayward and is expecting big things
from him this season.
Hayward has impressed when playing for Taranaki, and when he
gets on the field for Highlanders, with the ability to find
those around him and find gaps, but said there was little
time to make decisions at the higher level.
"You've got to make a split-second decision, with all the
guys running at you and with the guys outside."
The Highlanders tried to improve quick decision-making by
working hard on the training paddock.
Hayward said he hoped it would work out on game day.
"It's more about being able to play what is right in front of
you and making the right decision."
A shoulder injury had been a hindrance during pre-season and
forced him to miss the game against the Chiefs.
But he travelled to Fiji and got 60 minutes in the sweltering
sun against the Fiji President's XV.
Hayward is Taranaki born and bred - attending Hawera High
School - and played for the Eltham-Kaponga club.
"I went there straight after school as all my mates from
school went there. About two years later I was the only one
still there as they'd all left."
Hayward, who is a loan player for the Highlanders and will go
back to Taranaki for the provincial season, said the
Highlanders had talked at length about the need for a big
season, and to turn those too familiar close losses into
wins.
"We've got 20-odd back from last year and for many guys it's
their third or fourth year here.
The difference between losing those close games and taking
them out is very fine and that can be the difference between
being in the top four and the bottom four.
"It is an extremely tough competition. The hardest game is
always the next one."
Hayward made his Super 14 starting debut against the
Crusaders last year when the Highlanders won 6-0, the
lowest-scoring Super game in history.
He hoped to taste that wining feeling, if selected, on
Saturday.
"Everyone gets up for the Crusaders. They have been the team
to beat throughout the years. If you can't get up for the
Crusaders then you shouldn't be here."
