Francis Saili puts Munster commitments first

At 24, Francis Saili has time on his side to kick-start an international career that was honed in helping his country win a World U20 title before he gained two senior caps for current world champions New Zealand.

However, if returning home to challenge for a regular place within the All Blacks squad is in his thoughts down the line, for now, Saili is thinking only of Munster and what he can do in Ireland for the next two seasons at least, starting with the trip to face Scarlets tomorrow (7.05pm, Parc y Scarlets).

Playing for the All Blacks — who face South Africa in the World Cup semi-final this weekend — is still on his radar though, and he admitted so this week. “It is in the back of my mind, definitely. In saying that, first and foremost my job is here (at Munster).

“I won’t focus on the All Blacks until I cross that bridge after my two years here and I will make my decision then. We will see what happens.”

Saili is settling in nicely with Munster, getting on well with his new colleagues, and he sees similarities between here and home.

“There is not much of a difference, to be honest.

“It is more just coming to a different country really but the lads have made it easy for me in the transition. They are good craic as well, although I am still trying to get used to the lingo.

“As soon as I signed, I had to get up to scratch with what was going on. I did a bit of research before I came here. I saw the (Pro12) semi-final and finals back home (last season), when the Munster team was involved.

“It was good. I was getting excited then, and again when I jumped on that plane to come here.

“I am enjoying it here so far, but look, man, it is a scary thing for us because we are still building our game. Once we click our game together, it is going to be good.”

Tomorrow, Munster travel to take on Scarlets in a top-of-the-table Pro12 clash, the first of a succession of 16 games. Busy times indeed, but Saili isn’t worried, having experienced similar demands before. “Yes, I’ve done that,” he said, “it is hard on the body but you just have to be mentally there. If you tell your body you are ready to go, then you are ready to go.

“It is going to be a great challenge for us obviously because it is going to be a long 16-week block, but we are excited about it.”

When it comes to this weekend’s opponents, he has little knowledge of their past but just knows a bit about what they’re doing and achieving (four straight wins) at the moment.

“What I have seen so far they have played three of the hardest sides (in the competition) and they are looking quite strong. We are doing our analysis quite closely on them this week. They are not going to be an easy team. I know it is going to be a tough challenge for us.”

Meanwhile, Scarlets outside-half and full-back Aled Thomas believes their returning Welsh internationals will add to the region’s strength in depth. He said: “We’ve proved that we have some strength in depth in the squad and hopefully we’ve showed that over the last few weeks. Having the boys back will add to that and hopefully we can push on.

“One of our main targets was to be in the top four by the time the World Cup finished, at the moment we’re doing that.

“It’s important to get points on the board when we can.”

Thomas continued: “There’s a really positive feeling here at the moment, very upbeat and we’re looking forward to the games ahead now.”