From the island life to the Western front

IT’S a long way from Motootua on the Pacific island of Samoa, to Galway on this Atlantic island of ours.

It is the kind of journey which, even just a couple of decades ago, no-one would have envisaged making of their own volition. Exchange the warm weather, laid-back lifestyle there for a rain-sodden pressure-laden existence here? Not likely! But, that was before the advent of professional rugby, and around 18 months ago, and by way of New Zealand, that was the journey made by Connacht’s hard-hitting centre, Niva Ta’auso, a journey that sees him take the field on Friday evening at the Sportsground in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final against French high-flyers Toulon.

Earlier this week, on a balmy morning in the City of the Tribes, Niva took time out to reflect on the journey, and on the destination.

“Oh mate, I love the sun!” he began, shielding his eyes under clear Connacht skies. “I was born in Samoa, moved to New Zealand when I was 18 to play rugby (that was 1998), that’s where it all started. I was playing my last season for the Highlanders in the Super 14 and decided to make a move. I was looking to see if I knew anyone overseas and found that Ray Ofisa and Troy Nathan were both over here with Connacht. I was weighing my options, talked to my partner and my family and decided it was a good idea to come here.”

And was it a good idea? “Oh yes. We really enjoy it here, especially in weather like this, and especially now that Connacht are doing really well. We arrived last year, around October/November, I played my first game shortly afterwards, against Munster, and we beat them.”

That was perhaps the beginning of the reconstruction of Connacht as a force to be reckoned with at home, with a near full-strength Munster was beaten fair and square. It a good introduction for the newcomer.

Off the field, the genial Samoan (genial, hard-hitting – is there any other kind?) was just as quick to settle in and adapt to his new surroundings. It’s a mutual thing, he reckons, the ease with which the Pacific Islanders seem to fit into these very shores, the ease with which they are adopted by the locals.

He reasoned: “I think it works both ways, for sure, and in rugby you can fit into any new situation as long as you have the right attitude and are professional about it. It’s much better than I thought it might be, it’s all pretty normal; Connacht have welcomed us and have really looked after me and my family.”

And what of some of the local customs, some of the local sports – hurling for example, has he seen that? “Oh yeah, I’ve watched that game with the sticks – oh mate, it’s scary! Muller (team captain John Muldoon, All-Ireland minor winner with Galway in 2000) promised me that he’s going to take me to one of the games – one of his mates is playing, hopefully we get to see that live.”

That could be this Sunday’s NHL final between Cork and Galway in Thurles, in which Ollie and Joe Canning along with the Hayes boys are all from Portumna, home club of John Muldoon. Hopefully Niva will be going there as a winner, a European final berth secured, but in Jonny Wilkinson and his expensively-assembled Toulon teammates, Connacht face an enormous challenge. What will surprise many of those who will be seeing the western province for the first time this season, however, is that in direct contradiction to common perception, this is a team that loves to play ball, that has developed the happy habit of keeping the ball in hand.

“We have a mobile backline, we love moving the ball, seeing where spaces are; Brads, Eric and Dan (coaches Michael Bradley, Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland) are working hard on the right game plan for us, and that has been working out really well for us this year. You don’t want to play into the strengths of the other team either, you look at where their weaknesses are and try attack there. We do like to play exciting rugby, but a win is a win, and good defence is very important. Defend hard, make your tackles, and you’ll win.”

And – as a matter of interest – which does he prefer, making the big hit, or scoring the try?

“I’d rather smash someone,” he smiles, “or set up a try for my teammate. I don’t care; give me the ball, I’ll run hard, try to set up a try, and if I get smashed, well, that’s rugby.”

Fireworks then, this Friday in Galway. “Oh mate, it’s a massive game for us, for Connacht rugby, for our fans, a massive game. There’s a great buzz, everyone is looking forward to it.”