‘War' first, a few laughs second
Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham prepares to kick during a Super Rugby Pacific game earlier this season. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
Noah Hotham is looking forward to sharing a drink with lots of his Highlanders mates tomorrow night.
But he hopes there will be more bubbles in his fizz than theirs.
The former Highlanders under-20 captain returns to Forsyth Barr Stadium this weekend with the high-flying Crusaders for the Super Rugby southern derby.
Everywhere the halfback looks, there will be a player — Cameron Millar, Fabian Holland, Oliver Haig and others — with whom he has gone into battle for either the Baby Landers or the New Zealand under-20 team.
"I spent a good amount of time down in Dunedin and I've got a lot of friends on that team," Hotham told the Otago Daily Times.
"But they're the enemy this week.
"After the game, we'll share some laughs, but before that, it's war."
Hotham, 21, is particularly relishing the match-up at No 9 with Highlanders sparkplug Folau Fakatava.
"Folau is a good mate of mine, and I learnt a lot off him when I was down in Dunedin.
"It's always good to play against him. He's a great fella and obviously a great player and an attacking threat.
"I love going up against a halfback who is real competitive. It only makes me better and more hungry."
It was not a lot of fun for Hotham a year ago when the Crusaders were beaten 32-29 in Dunedin thanks to a masterclass from Millar, who scored 27 points.
Hotham captained the Highlanders under-20 team.
That was part of a grim season for the Crusaders as the perennial champions plunged to ninth place.
"It was probably quite foreign to lots of people here who are used to winning quite often," Hotham said.
"But a lot of it just came down to small moments.
"This year, we're just taking it one week at a time, because the competition's so tight that anyone can tip up anyone on their day.
"Our focus is only on the Landers this week for what should be a good southern derby down in Dunedin."
Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima would appear to be the leading contenders to play halfback for the All Blacks this season.
Hotham and Fakatava are in a wider group of talented No 9s, including Finlay Christie, Xavier Roe and possibly another Crusader in Kyle Preston, eager to impress coach Scott Robertson.
Hotham earned his sole test cap last year when he made an early entrance off the bench against Fiji in San Diego.
He became the third in his family to represent New Zealand, following older brother Legin in the Touch Blacks and sister Jazmin in the Black Ferns Sevens.
"It was obviously something very special.
"But I just need to keep my feet on the ground and keep other thoughts at the back of my mind. It's about the present and doing whatever I can to help the Crusaders."
Hotham is loving life in Christchurch, where he has bought a house and recently re-signed with the Crusaders until 2027.
"It's exciting times for me and I'm really grateful to be here and learning lots."
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