IT TAKES a lot to drag a farmer off his land. Particularly a sheep farmer at lambing time. Seeing your son playing his first Rugby World Cup on the other side of the planet, it seems, is justification enough. At least it is for the father of Scotland flanker John Hardie, who plans to be in Europe supporting his son at the busiest time of year for the family farm back in New Zealand.

For Russell Hardie, leaving the steading outside Invercargill at this crucial time of year is bound to be a nervous time. "Luckily my brother’s got it all sorted because we’re right in the middle of lambing and my dad’s been doing the same for 30-odd years," John noted. "It’s been pretty hard for him to come. He’ll like to be away out of there, but he’ll still have half his mind back on the farm. I’ll get that out of him. My brother’s been in charge for a couple of years now so he knows what he’s doing."

So it is that on Sunday, Russell, his wife Helen and Hayley, John's girlfriend, will all get on a plane and head for London en route to Gloucester, where they will clap eyes on John for the first time since took the biggest gamble of his career and chucked in his New Zealand security to chase glory in a country he had never even visited before.

"They’ll be here for all the games so that’s very special, it’ll be great," said John Hardie. "It's been a tough time in my life, exciting, but pretty scary at the same time. I don’t regret it one bit, though. I haven’t been really homesick. I was at a hostel five days a week when I was a kid right until through high school so I’m used to it. I’ve changed around a lot of places, Dunedin, Invercargill and different ways and different people.

"Yes, it’s been pretty challenging. It’s also been awesome. The boys, management, everyone have made me feel welcome. It’s a bit surreal still, pretty awesome but now I’m going to get down ready for these next games, and put my best foot forward."

Hardie's arrival did not meet with universal acclaim with some expressing doubts about whether he could and should be allowed to play for Scotland just a few weeks after arriving in the country. There is no doubt he qualifies with a grandmother from Culross in Fife, but accepting him means that somebody with longer service, primarily John Barclay and Blair Cowan, missed out.

Hardie accepts there were bound to be doubts and critics, but feels he has overcome them: "I think it was always going to be expected," he said. "I had to put my head down, work hard. It tested my character and I think I came out the other side. I always knew some people were not going to be happy about it, it was all about proving myself and my right to be here as much as anyone.

"I meet 42 new guys when I first come here and that was challenging, but I think it made me a better person, and I’m just here trying to prove to my mates and the coaches that I’m worthy of being here. Some people have approached me on the street and been very nice. They’re passionate people and they love the team, so it’s about repaying them as well.

"I love the people and the boys. Everyone’s been really good to me. I’ve been here for two and a half months now and so I’m getting used to the city, the people, and really enjoying it. I haven’t had a lot of days off to think about it really, it hasn’t really sunk in but I’m proud and it still feels surreal. It’s all about head down, nothing’s confirmed until you’re on that World Cup stage."

If anything the pressure on Hardie has only intensified since he arrived When he joined the squad we was one of five specialist opensides with another three who have had top-level experience of playing the position. When the final squad was announced, however, he was the only specialist and though it seems hookers are expected to double-up as emergency flankers, only Ryan Wilson of the remaining forwards has any real experience as cover in his role.

"We’ve got five back rowers, we all do our jobs well and everything will work out," said Hardie. "I’m as tested as I can be and I’m all about what my team-mates want from me, about the coaches want from me, that’s all I’m worried about. Doing my team justice.

"I've been reasonably happy with the way things went but there’s always things you can improve on and I’ll be looking to do that in these next few games, and as the Rugby World Cup goes on. I'm really looking forward to the tournament."