Hape gets ready to prove he's meant for lead role

Leeds-born Robinson was one of the most successful cross-code rugby players of the modern era, scoring a try in the 2003 World Cup final in what was the crowning moment of the sport in England.

Hape, a former New Zealand rugby league international who spent five-and-a-half years with Bradford Bulls in Super League, wins his first union cap for the red rose tomorrow as one of four changes made by team manager Martin Johnson for the first Test against Australia in Perth.

He is the third Kiwi to turn his back on the 13-man game and attempt to forge a career in the English union code following Henry Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.

While those two have only a handful of caps apiece after a stuttering start to international rugby, Hape is targeting Robinson – who won 57 caps and went on two Lions tours – as the man to follow.

"I look to guys like Jason Robinson who switched codes and went on to do great things," said Hape, who played and scored for England in the non-cap match with the Barbarians two weeks ago.

"I look to him for inspiration. I have looked at what he achieved and got out of the game.

"Being picked for England is one of the highest honours and greatest things any rugby player in England can do. I am really chuffed and honoured.

"It is a great feeling for myself and for my family and friends back in England. I am really looking forward to it."

Like Vainikolo and Paul, Hape's finest moments in Super League came at Bradford, but unlike his former Bulls team-mates, he is hoping his delayed qualification into the England team will stand him in better stead in the long term.

"They are probably a bit different to me because they came into Test rugby a lot quicker than I have done," said Hape, who signed for Bath in 2008.

"I've almost had 50 games now since I swapped from league, so I think I've done my time. I've been patient and I feel ready for international rugby."

Johnson has also brought back hooker Steve Thompson – who recently signed a two-year contract at Leeds Carnegie – and former Leeds lock Tom Palmer, both of whom came off the bench in the last competitive Test at the end of the Six Nations in Paris.

Tom Croft returns to the England team after missing the Six Nations with a knee injury.

But it is the introduction of Hape that provides the most intriguing sub-plot of the first of two Tests against the Wallabies.

The 29-year-old was in line to make his Test debut against Wales during the Six Nations just weeks after qualifying for England on residency grounds, before falling ill on the eve of the game.

Johnson said: "I have been very impressed with him. He's a very smart ball-carrier. He's one of those guys that seems to have a bit more time than most, he's very composed.

"He missed out on getting a game in the Six Nations with illness and we didn't get a chance to get him in after that.

"Shontayne has a very good passing game, a very good off-loading game. He is very direct and he is a very good attacker.

"You know what you get with Shontayne. Riki Flutey is not here and this is a good opportunity for him."

Hape will forge a midfield partnership with Otley-born veteran Mike Tindall against the formidable pairing of Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau.

Former Leeds product Danny Care will pull the strings for England from scrum-half after retaining the No 9 jersey despite pressure from up-and-coming Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs.

And Toby Flood holds onto the fly-half position he earned from a mis-firing Jonny Wilkinson towards the end of the Six Nations campaign, although Wilkinson – who kicked the decisive drop-goal the last time England beat Australia on their own patch, in the World Cup final – is on the bench after overcoming the rib injury he sustained playing for Toulon in the Amlin Challenge Cup final last month.

Leeds head coach Neil Back believes Hendre Fourie can still play a part in the England set-up after an injury to his calf and ankle forced him to cut short his first tour with Johnson's squad.

Back said: "Hopefully he will get another chance come the autumn and I hope for England's sake he does with the World Cup now fast approaching.

"It's a real shame for Hendre because he had worked so hard to get a place on the tour."

Leeds duo Andy Titterrell and Kearnan Myall were both second-half replacements for the England Saxons as they defeated Russia 49-17 in the opening match of their Churchill Cup in Colorado.

Kiwis making the switch

Henry Paul

Paul, who played rugby league for Wakefield, Bradford and Wigan, crossed codes in 2001 when he signed for Gloucester. He made six England appearances between 2002 and 2006, having opted to play union for England and not the All Blacks. His debut was as a replacement against France in the 2002 Six Nations, but his longest spell in the side came in the spring tournament in 2004. However, it was with the England Sevens that Paul was most prominent, winning a silver medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Leslie Vainikolo

'The Volcano' had played 12 times for the New Zealand rugby league team and in six seasons with Bradford Bulls amassed 598 points, but switched codes to join Gloucester in 2007.

The explosive winger was born in Tonga but was eligible for England on residency rules. He made his England debut against Wales in February 2008, having declined the opportunity to represent his native Tonga in the 2007 World Cup. All of his five caps to date came in the 2008

Six Nations. He has also played twice for the Barbarians.

Shontayne Hape

The last of the Kiwi converts, Hape also spent the bulk of his league career with the Bradford Bulls. He played 14 times for New Zealand in the 13-man game but joined Bath in 2008. He was selected in England's Six Nations squad earlier this year but was unused.