Brendon Leonard has new, younger challenge

PETER DRURY/Waikato Times

CONTENDERS: Waikato halfbacks Tawera Kerr-Barlow (left) and Brendon Leonard, who starts at Noth9 tonight against Bay of Plenty.

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You couldn't blame Brendon Leonard for looking over his shoulder this year as he plays his first full season of rugby for Waikato for several years.

Leonard is not in the All Blacks this season and he is not injured – it's something that hasn't happened since he made his national debut in 2007 as a 22-year-old halfback with a rocket pass, a blistering break and a habit of being in the right place at the right time.

But challenging him in this year's Waikato ITM Cup squad is a 19-year-old with all the same attributes and fresh off a key role in the New Zealand Under-20 team's victory at the Junior World Championships in Argentina – Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Since his Waikato debut in 2005, Leonard has played just 32 games for the province.

"I'm pretty excited, to be honest," said Leonard.

"I haven't had a full season for Waikato in a few years and have only played a handful of games in the last three years.

"It would definitely be exciting to get a full year in. I had a few weeks off after Super 14 to nurse a few niggles and then played a few games of club football so I'm feeling pretty good."

But just as has happened in the All Blacks this year in a few key positions where incumbents like Mils Muliaina have responded superbly to the challenge from rising young stars like Israel Dagg, Leonard is hoping the threat of Kerr-Barlow taking his spot will bring the best out in him.

Leonard gets the start tonight against Bay of Plenty with Kerr-Barlow on the bench but the latter's potential is considered huge and he will push his established rival all the way this season.

"He's obviously a great player for the future of New Zealand rugby and has had a great season already for the NZ Under-20 squad, so he'll push me all the way.

"Hopefully I can keep my hold on the No9 jersey for a few weeks and see how I go."

Leonard said there was little doubt such a challenge would drive him to be a better player.

"Competition within the squad is very healthy."

Leonard is expecting a big challenge from Bay of Plenty at Waikato Stadium tonight and said it was a great way to start the competition.

"It's a big test for us. We haven't beaten them in a competition game (since 2003).

"I guess they'll be coming over here again with the mentality that they're a small union and want to put one over us.

"We know they're going to come over firing like they usually do so it's just a matter of us being able to match that in the first 20 and being able to kick on from there."

- © Fairfax NZ News