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Article: Hape shapes up to put Rec back in reckoning
- Article from:
- The Independent on Sunday (London, England)
- Article date:
- October 18, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Independent on Sunday. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Kiwi league centre has been eased in gradually but now's the time
to stand out
When Stade Franais run out at the Rec today wearing one of their
shocking pink numbers to face Bath in their "camouflage" blue
European jerseys, it could resemble not so much a do-or-die Heineken
Cup tie as an audition for the Turner Prize. Don't forget your
sunglasses.
But Shontayne Hape is unlikely to be dazzled. The New Zealand
inside centre had an eminent career in rugby league and, after a
tentative introduction to union, is becoming a stalwart of the Bath
backline. "This is a great opportunity," he said. "To play one of
the top teams in Europe in front of a packed-out crowd, everyone's
excited about it. It ...