Re-run of Leinster game focuses Tipoki

ONCE described by his former North Harbour coach, Allan Pollock, as “a tortured genius” the only anguish Rua Tipoki suffered this week was having to sit through a re-run of Munster’s 10-3 defeat to Leinster last weekend.

The ‘genius’ in Tipoki failed to materialise on the night, the side-step and the shimmy that is his forte couldn’t break through a gung-ho Leinster defence.

And though he’s just over four months with the province, the loss to Munster’s arch rivals is not something he was going to tiptoe around either.

“We will need to correct our execution and that includes me,” accepts Tipoki. “It let us down a few times against Leinster. If we plan to do something that will break down defences like Llanelli’s this weekend we’ll have to do it properly.”

A synopsis of Tipoki’s progress to date might include these points: a solid midfield operator, a penchant to find the smallest of gaps and a nose for the try-line. Two tries in two Heineken Cup encounters is no bad return in a competition he didn’t think was as big until his first European appearance against Wasps in Coventry. And to score in his inaugural appearance in Thomond Park only embellished the fairytale start to his Munster career.

“I didn’t know how big the Heineken Cup was but I’m really enjoying being a part of it. It’s an awesome experience,” Tipoki says. ‘‘You get to play against some a lot of different rugby cultures. Every rugby culture is different and you get to experience all of them.”

On his Thomond debut against Clermont Auvergne in the last round, he said: “I’m told Thomond is a totally different place when it’s packed to the brim. It was great to play my first game there, especially at a ground where there is a lot of history. To win in my first game in such a sacred venue was a dream too.”

Fitting in at Munster could not have been easier where he finds the most appealing characteristic of the squad its total lack of pretension. “The likes of Rog (Ronan O’Gara) and (John) Hayes are two Munster legends, right,” explains Tipoki. “But there is no special treatment for anyone; we’re all treated the same.”

Another player with a sizeable reputation and someone with whom he has crossed paths in New Zealand, Doug Howlett, arrives in Munster in the New Year.

The all-time top try scorer for the All Blacks arrived in Cork on a reconnaissance visit in October. The welcome, let’s say, was typically Munster. “Doug came over here for a couple of days, and straight away the Munster lads were giving out to him, telling him to keep away from the cars!” he recounts with a cheeky smile and in reference to Howlett’s late night antics in a car park outside a hotel in Heathrow following the All Blacks exit from the Rugby World Cup.

“They tell to you straight here,” the Munster outside centre continues. “We all had a laugh but that’s what the Munster community is all about!”

Tomorrow many feel the punch in Munster’s attack needs to come from Tipoki and his midfield partner Lifemi Mafi, the latter’s form a source of huge concern to Munster fans who are unconvinced by the former Taranki player’s form.

Rua, however, feels the best is yet to come from his fellow New Zealander.

“He is definitely he’s one of the best defenders around. And then, on top of that, he’s got really good feet, he’s quick and has an awesome pass. He’s just getting better and better.”

Tipoki feels every Munster player will need to be on his guard against a Llanelli side, he says, capable of scoring from anywhere.

“They haven’t started off well in the Heineken Cup this year, but that doesn’t count for anything on Saturday. I watched them at the weekend and they played really well. If you let your guard down, you’re going to score straightaway. We’ve got to be on our guard the whole game.”