Mils’ contribution to Connacht can be massive, says Lam
Lam tried to get the former All Black centurion to rejoin his Auckland Blues squad when the two met up in 2012, and he has now earmarked the Samoan-born utility back to help take Connacht to the next level.
“At the start of the recruitment process when I looked at our young players, such as Robbie Henshaw and Darragh Leader, I identified Mils as someone who plays in those positions and a person I know who will contribute to our leadership group,” says Lam.
“On the leadership front, our group is very forward dominated, so what he can bring to our young players, on and off the field, is massive.”
Lam says he met with Mils two years ago when he was playing for the Barbarians in Hong Kong.
“I saw he was in great nick and was playing well and I tried to get him back to the Blues. We have stayed in touch and, now that I know the lie of the land here in Connacht, the best full-back/centre we could possibly have is Mils Muliaina — 100 caps for the All Blacks — it is massive.”
While Lam maintained contact with the 33-years-old, who played with Lam’s championship winning Auckland in 2005, a meeting with his agent earlier this year also proved vital in securing Muliaina’s signature which was penned a few weeks ago — before Muliaina’s season with the Chiefs was cut short with an elbow injury.
“It was imperative we met the key agents in New Zealand to sell the vision of Connacht. Of course it was Leinster, Munster and Ulster they knew, so we needed to help them understand where Connacht is going, and when I spoke to Mils, it was that vision and my relationship with him, that helped.”
Lam says key to Connacht’s growth are more experienced players like the All Black centurion, who can not only have a vital role in playing, but by buying into the vision of the province.
“We are trying to improve every year and key to that are quality players who are going to move the team forward, not just for their rugby ability, but people who help the culture and fit in. Not only is Mils bringing all his experience to the field, but it is exciting to have a person of his attitude who is a great team man and will fit into the culture here.”
Although Muliaina was linked to the Ospreys and several leading French sides two years ago, he headed to Japan for a two-year stint before returning to the Chiefs, and now joins Craig Clarke, whose future is still unknown, and centre Bundee Aki from the Chiefs, along with Blues prop Tom McCartney, at Connacht.
Connacht Branch president Eamon Feeley says the capture of the province’s first All Black is a declaration Connacht is ready to move forward in its quest to achieve success both in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and European Cup competitions.
Feeley believes it is Muliaina’s influence over a young Connacht squad that will be crucial in its ambitions to achieve European Champions Cup qualification.
Feeley also believes the Muliaina signing is an acknowledgement by theIRFU Connacht Rugby needs to move forward and become more competitive for Irish Rugby.
“Obviously Connacht needs to do it by themselves — improve revenue, gate receipts, and competitiveness, and this signing is certainly a huge step going forward,” he says.
“We can no longer be helped by other provinces to qualify for the European cup, and if we wish to get into Europe, we need more experienced and calibre players and this will certainly help us. It will be for the betterment of Irish Rugby.”
Muliaini’s versatility in covering the back three and midfield will be needed to help strengthen Connacht’s depth, particularly with the loss of out-half Dan Parks, believed to have been Connacht’s highest paid professional, and the long-serving Gavin Duffy.
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