12 replies to this topic

[Cpt Kumera]

does he play any warm up games for steamers sportsboy??
he played club rugby last week in auckland
hes been in auckland a harbour npc teams

[sportboy]

Won't be available until after Samoa's games finish in the Pacific Nations Cup tournament so probably mid-July. They rate him in Europe... Smith obviously isn't a big fan of little blokes... (ie) Ruki Tipuna!

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Samoan nails Steamers half chance

His name may leave commentators in a muddle but Junior Poluleuligaga is clear on his expected role in Bay of Plenty rugby this season.

The Manu Samoan test halfback has been unveiled as the Steamers' major pre-season signing and will join the Air New Zealand Cup side after next month's Pacific Nations Cup.

Poluleuligaga is likely to be the starting halfback at this stage, but equally important is his role in grooming young players such as Josh Hall, thanks to some handy recent experience.

"I'm in my late 20s and I've learned a lot in the last couple of years, especially from guys playing in front of me like George Gregan and Andy Gomersall," the 28-year-old said. "I've packed quite a bit into the last couple of years - I've been to a World Cup, played a few test matches and played for clubs in France and England as well - so it would be really great to come here and help the young guys out."

While it's a slap in the face for local club talent like Rangataua's Ruki Tipuna and Tauranga Sports' Kyle O'Brien, new Steamers coach Greg Smith was after some insurance in the position, with Hall still recovering from a broken ankle.

Poluleuligaga - for the record it's pronounced "Polu-lay-ooly-nunga" - has no shortage of Air New Zealand Cup pedigree either.

The Auckland-born halfback made his North Harbour debut in 2004 and also had a couple of games for Auckland last year.

He was previously in an intriguing 1999 New Zealand secondary schools team, which featured future All Blacks Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid, Mose Tuialii and Sam Tuitupou, as well as a handful of players who went on to play for Bay of Plenty - Jeff Ierome, Ray Isara, Warren Smith and Jamie Nutbrown.

The 94kg, No 9 tasted Super 14 action for the Blues in 2006 but found his way blocked the next season when he nailed his colours to the Manu Samoan ship for their World Cup campaign. He's since played 12 tests and a couple of matches for the Pacific islanders.

Following the World Cup, he signed with Toulon in France, "got screwed over" by the club's controversial owner, Mourad Boudjellal, and moved to English club Harlequins, making the premiership playoffs last month.

"It's pretty tough in my position because Super 14 teams only pick players eligible for the All Blacks. I was still wanting to get back overseas but nothing came up for me until this. I thought'why not' - I'd watched a few Bay games last year and they did really well."

[Cpt Kumera]

yeah I rate ruki and reckon he should of had more game time last few years

[KiwiPie]

Well he certainly is a big bugger and Ruki certainly is a small bugger.

I have a memory of Polu being a bit like Moa, handy as a 9th forward but not the guy to set your backline on fire.

[sportboy]

Given our back ranks of recent years, that hasn't really been an issue though, has it KP??!

[KiwiPie]

sportboy said:

Given our back ranks of recent years, that hasn't really been an issue though, has it KP??!

Good point sportboy, well made. This year though, the Bay backline will be a cross between a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari. Not a Lada and a Fiat 126.

[Baron Silas Greenback]

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This year though, the Bay backline will be a cross between a Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari. Not a Lada and a Fiat 126

Bit early for the delusions isnt it?

[Midge]

Im a big fan of Tipuna, would like to see him get some game time. Havent said that I have never seen this new bloke play and he may well be the business

[the little guys]

I think its a good move, Ruki has the x factor but his lack of offseason commitment a couple of years back puts him in the unreliable category, if Ruki plays to full potential week in weekout he could keep Polu on the bench but the challenge is there. At this stage my backline wuld still be:

9 Tipuna, 10 Delaney, 11 McDonald, 12 Aporo, 13 Dougal, 14 Toopi, 15 Lawrence with Hughson, Hunt, Honey and Polu vying for bench spots.

[mole in the hole]

Ruki is too small to play at that level these days...sure he is a good runner but thats about it,halfbacks these days are almost another loosie and need to be able to test the close in defenders with physicality aswel as speed and agility...great player dont get me wrong but think the way the game has evolved puts him a bit behind the 8ball....Polu is a pretty handy runner and has a good pass,have watched him for a few years and plays alot like Kevin Senio...he wasnt to bad for the bay

My backline 9 Polu
10 Delany
11 McDonald
12 Burleigh
13 Aporo
14 Toopi
15 Lawrence

That leaves us with a few options...Hughson,Hunt,Arnold,Hona,Hall,Toopi,McCashin...plus others xzxdrinks

[the little guys]

fair point mole. tepuna and rangataua fught out a 17all draw today and tipuna was classy coming on for the last 20 minutes?? Hona had a great game... at no8> Aidan Kuka showed the difference he can make and looks very sharp>

[BOPRED]

This issue has been dead for a while.

Whats everyones thoughts now?

He fills the nuggety NUTBROWN's shoes nicely and the backline seems to have plenty of time.

I'd rate our 9-10 combo as the best in the current NPC.

[JP]

What I like about Polu is that he's very vocal - I remember him playing for Harbour and he used to yell at the forward pack non-stop on attack and defence. He certainly gets the forwards organised and going as a unit - pretty big fulla too...