By Wayne Martin

James Hawkey certainly isn't losing any sleep over his decision to move north last year.

Last December, the talented young first five-eighth decided to leave his home-town Timaru to link up with the Nelson-based Crusaders Rugby Academy. He's been smiling ever since.

Well almost. His Marist team's last-minute loss to Wanderers in Saturday's Nelson Bays division one club match didn't help his mood although generally speaking, the 20-year-old apprentice electrician has been thriving in his new competitive environment.

"I've been loving it. I've definitely been enjoying my time in Nelson with the lifestyle, but the rugby here's pretty good as well," Hawkey said.

He played the last of his two years with the Timaru Boys High School First XV in 2014 and since then has represented New Zealand Marist Colts, the Heartland under-19 team and a NZ Marist XV. He's progressed through the South Canterbury representative age-group ranks but gave up the opportunity to play Heartland rugby for South Canterbury this season by moving to Nelson.

Last season he top-scored with 207 points for Celtic's Hammersly Cup-winning team in the South Canterbury club competition, earning him the South Canterbury senior player of the year award. He's currently sitting on 171 club points for his new Marist club and is looking to beat last year's tally.

"I've been happy with my kicking. I probably had a slow start, but lately it's been pretty much on point. I had a good year with the boot last year, so it's good to have a bit of consistency."

Mostly though, Hawkey's simply been soaking up the wealth of information and knowledge that's been flowing his way under the guidance of Crusaders academy co-ordinator Chris Goodman.

"I'd have been stupid not to move with the opportunity up here with the academy. Really, the resources down in South Canterbury weren't there so it's [hard] to go further. But I enjoyed my time definitely in South Canterbury but I felt there was a need for a move.

"We've had plenty of access to specialty coaches, so the resources are all there to use. It's a matter of going our there and working hard. Self-motivation is probably the other thing.

"This year's more of a development year and, I suppose, just trying to get your name out there a little bit. Next year's going to be another step up for me...and I need to get a bit more clarification on what position [the selectors] see me as, first or second-five, but I'll look to develop both positions as another string to the bow I suppose and keep kicking well and hopefully just take my chances."

Hawkey's more familiar with the No 10 jersey.

"To be honest, I played a little bit of second-five last year [but] I've played all my rugby at first-five, so I haven't had much experience at second-five. But I've been enjoying my time there this year and I'd like to develop that game as well as first-five.

"Both positions kind of go hand-in-hand with their roles, so it's not much of a change of position really, it's pretty similar."

With only five weeks of the club season remaining, Hawkey's hoping he's in the mix for selection in this year's Tasman Griffins team.

"That's hopefully definitely on the radar for me. The club season's gone pretty quick actually so I'm looking forward hopefully to getting into some representative team."