Rugby: Fuatai making up for lost time

''We have just got to be a bit more aggressive and urgent. And hopefully we can take it to them.'...
''We have just got to be a bit more aggressive and urgent. And hopefully we can take it to them.'' - Fa'asiu Fuatai. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Otago winger Fa'asiu Fuatai is following in his father's footsteps, though he is more of a finisher than his old man.

Fuatai is one of three players in the Otago side with fathers who have worn the blue and gold.

Lock Joe Latta's father John played prop 66 times for Otago in the 1980s.

No 8 and captain Charlie O'Connell's dad James played two games for Otago in 1984 in the loose forwards.

Fuatai's dad, Siro, played for Otago in the late 1970s.

Siro Fuatai played three games for Otago in 1977 while playing club rugby for University and studying medicine.

Fuatai senior, now a general practitioner in Auckland, played lock and loose forward while at University.

But his son has steered away from the forward pack and is more at home on the wing.

It is a position where has made a fast start in this year, scoring three tries in two games as Otago has a win and a loss from its first two games.

Fuatai (21) is making up for lost time this season after making a late start due to a shoulder operation late last year.

''It started two years ago when I fell awkwardly and it felt a bit loose. Last year I fell again and it popped out and popped back in straight away,'' he said.

''But all the ligaments were loose and I had to get it done and fixed.''

That saw him miss the bulk of the club season, although he said looking at the big picture that may have been a blessing.

''That was frustrating. But it gave me an opportunity to get my body in good shape and get ready for the ITM Cup season.

"Looking back on it, maybe it was good. I'm feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

''I just trained and did university. Stuff to take my mind away from footy. I did quite a lot of intense running and started doing the weights.

''There was some tough times, watching the boys play but I'm happy I'm back now.''

Fuatai was studying law and was doing three papers this semester which he had to defer last year because of rugby commitments.

A New Zealand Colt last year, he said the side was concentrating on being more aggressive this week after losing that battle to Counties-Manukau last game out.

''We started off well against Harbour and that game against Counties-Manukau I think we were off the pace, just physically.

"We could not really match them physically around the field and that was to the detriment of our game. Hopefully we can improve in that against Southland.

''We have just got to be a bit more aggressive and urgent. And hopefully we can take it to them.

"It is always tough playing against a Stags team at home. We have got the systems in place by Browny [coach Tony Brown] and we have just got to stick to those structures.''

Fuatai will be busy tonight against Southland as the home side under new coach Brad Mooar looks to move the ball wider than in previous years.

Lima Sopoaga will try to marshall the home side round the field as he makes a strong start to his career in the deep south.

Otago needs to make sure Sopoaga has little impact on the game and to show some steel at the breakdown.

The home team welcomes back John Hardie, who has not played for two months but whose experience will be an asset.

Retired All Black hooker Andrew Hore is not listed in the Southland squad, with Tua Tuapati starting and Dillan Halaholo coming off the bench.

Southland holds the Donald Stuart Memorial Trophy after winning the game between these side last year at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Fine weather is forecast for Invercargill today.

 


Otago v Southland
Invercargill, today, 5.35pm

Otago: Trent Renata, Jayden Spence, Michael Collins, Tei Walden, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Hayden Parker, Josh Renton, Charlie O'Connell (captain), James Lentjes, TJ Ioane, Tom Franklin, Joe Latta, Donald Brighouse, Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli. Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Hisa Sasagi, Jackson Hemopo, Nahlia Dawai, Nick Ealey, Peter Breen, Tony Ensor.

Southland: Junior Ngaluafe, Mark Jackman, Cardiff Vaega, Willis Halaholo, Jamie Verran, Lima Sopoaga, Scott Eade, Elliot Dixon, Tim Boys, John Hardie, Michael Fatilofa, Josh Bekhuis, JP Koen, Tua Tuapati, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Dillan Halaholo, Tony Keresoma, Michael Stewart, Bill Fukofuka, Tayler Adams, Loco Lolo, Bryan Milne.

Referee: Grant Stuart (Waikato)


 

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