Moulding another Munster legend
It was last season. Bourgoin were in town for the second round of the Heineken Cup, and the new signing from Taranaki was warming the bench, but itching to get into the fray. Then in the 71st minute Declan Kidney introduced a pretty unknown quantity, but Munster and Europe witnessed what the fast-twitch fibres of the Pacific Islanders are all about: his first touch was an explosive 50-yard burst through midfield, a huge hand-off and from the next ruck, on-loan Saracens hooker, Andy Kyriacou, pounced for a try. Snapshots from this season paint the other half of Mafi: eating up the Stradey Park turf before nailing Dwayne Peel yards from the try-line and a quarter final replete with muscular hits on Anthony Allen that eventually saw the Gloucester centre replaced.
The exotically named Lifemi Mafi hits the graceful movements of an Islander but, lately, his actions and words are more dyed-in-the-wool Munster red. When his team-mate and neighbour in Cork, Rua Tipoki, spoke recently of a blood-drenched O’Gara giving it all for the cause against Clermont inspired him, Mafi too witnessed a moment that summed up what playing for his team means.
“It came when we won over in Llanelli in the rain before Christmas. When I saw Axel giving it everything he had. He was almost drowning on the ground in the mud. Then you could see him lifting his face and he got up and just sprinted to the next ruck.
“Seeing those guys giving everything they have, just makes you want to give more. That’s the passion, and that’s what I love. That’s what I’m here for. Munster is a different scenario compared to back home.”
Home is 12,000 miles away in Tonga, but his memories are all New Zealand after his mother and father moved to the land of the long white cloud with four brothers, Saia, Fatai, Cori and Anthony, and his sister, Aspau, who died at just three years old.
Schooled in the famous rugby nursery, Palmerstown North Boys High, Lifemi later rose through the ranks, playing New Zealand U19 and U21 and sharing hotels and rugby paddocks with the likes of Dan Carter and Luke McAlister.
His elusive speed and side-step was noticed by the New Zealand Sevens, but frustration grew when game-time dried up with Wellington Hurricanes. The queue for centre positions there resembled a who’s who of All Black rugby with Tana Umaga, Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu ahead in the pecking order. A move seemed imminent, but to where?
Contact came from a few Kiwis who’d bought into the Munster way. Jason Holland and former Munster Academy director, Hamish Adams — who also happened to be Mafi’s Academy manager at Palmerstown — spoke of a possible move. Munster carried status and weight in New Zealand, and in October 2006 he and his fiance, Sarah, moved to Cork.
“I found it quite hard for the first few weeks, not knowing what to expect,” remembers Mafi of those early days. “It was good to have a guy from back home in Jeremy Manning to help me out, and Christian Cullen as well.
“They were my rocks and I fell back on them. I asked them questions about how to react to the players and how to understand them.”
Recently rugby has become a peripheral subject in the Mafi household. “We’ve just had a daughter (Cassidy), she’s six months old. So everything is quite humble at home. It’s all about her, which is good for me. It takes my eyes away from rugby, helps to take my mind away from big games and it helps me to relax.”
On the field, Mafi and Tipoki have become a deadly double act. “It’s us reading each other a bit more, playing games with each other and learning off each other. I’ve been learning what Rua’s going to be doing, and as a whole line we’re reacting well and playing as a team.
“Early on I was tending to rush out but now we’re working together and that’s what is keeping our line nice and solid. There hasn’t been a back line that has worked on us. At times, it (defence) is off the cuff but Rua stays inside and I stay on the outside because I’m a bit faster than him …. but I think he just likes to get a bit closer to the ball!”
Mafi admits he did arrive with preconceptions of the Munster style, but can take pride in helping expand the mindset. He again speaks highly of the Munster ethos.
“I was expecting a traditional team. Munster are a team of pride, their fans are all about pride. I knew it was going to be a forward-oriented team, and I didn’t think I would touch the ball much. But when I did I knew I had to give something.
“I thought it was all about me at first, but then I grew into the Munster ethos. Now, it’s all about the jersey and it’s all about the fans. You have to buy into that, and that’s what makes us strong and what makes us Munster.”
He has moved away from the goal of wearing an All Black shirt. Having just signed a two-year extension, his future and heart lie with Munster. “I signed on for two years initially, and I’ve just re-signed for another two years. I’m looking to stay on and do a Jim Williams on it, be a Munster great. But it takes time.”
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