'It was a place where I felt I could grow': Michael Ala’alatoa loving life at Leinster

Michael Ala’alatoa of Leinster during a pre-season match against Harlequins. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Michael Ala’alatoa could have stayed in New Zealand.

A mainstay in the Crusaders front row, the Sydney-born and reared Manu Samoa tighthead won a bunch of Super Rugby titles in Christchurch where his family had settled. Life was good.