Update: 11:34AM TALEMAITOGA Tuapati has served a lengthy rugby apprenticeship, but it seems to now be all falling into place for the Stags hooker.
In 2006 he headed from Fiji to New Zealand – like many of his fellow countrymen – to chase the rugby dream.
His first stop was Dunedin where he represented Otago at age-group level, before the next year he was lured even further south.
Stu Harvey convinced Tuapati to make the move to Invercargill to line up for Pirates-Old Boys in the Southland club competition.
He quickly became a notable figure in the Southland club scene through his bruising defence and strong ball-carrying ability.
Injury, some indifferent lineout throwing at times, and of course some handy names like Jason Rutledge, David Hall and Brayden Mitchell, all hindered his quest over the years to become a key figure in the Stags setup.
Heading into the 2014 season he had played 14 NPC games but 11 of those had come from the bench.
With veterans Hall and Rutledge both struck down by season-ending injuries it opened the door for Tuapati this year and he has grabbed a hold of the Stags No 2 jersey.
The 29-year-old has highlighted he is a more than capable player at NPC level, and with continual development in the set piece part of his game, he is likely to continue his dream to provide for his family through rugby.
Tuapati conceded he had some tough decisions to make, following the NPC season, in regard to his future.
He said there had been some interest from overseas clubs, but playing in New Zealand again next season was also something which appealed to him.
The catch in the decision-making process is Tuapati’s Fijian commitments.
As he has climbed the Southland rugby ladder he has also done the same with the Fijian union. He looks set to be their frontline hooker during next month’s tour to the United Kingdom, and in turn he is tipped to be a key player for Fiji at next year’s World Cup in England.
The World Cup runs at the same time as New Zealand’s provincial competition which would rule him out for the Stags. His Fijian commitments could also hinder him potentially signing for an overseas club.
Tuapati and his partner are expecting the arrival of their second child in the next couple of weeks which has prompted him to take a close look at all the options.
“I’m just going to do what’s best for my family. I could step down from the World Cup if I got a good offer,” he said.
“I’ve been chatting with my agent and there is a few clubs [interested]. A few of the clubs want me to step down from the tour next month so I can play for them, but I will see what the deal is and make my decision from there.”
However, before he makes those decisions he is eager for two more games in 2014 with Southland.
Tuapati and his Stags team mates will head to Palmerston North this week to take on Manawatu in one of the NPC Championship division semifinals.
The Stags hooker said they were keen to put to one side the disappointing 41-20 loss to Manawatu earlier in the season by turning in a good performance in Palmerston North on Saturday.
“We are looking forward to the game. I think our last game against them it was just our mistakes, every mistake they got a try. We’ve worked really hard this week to make no mistakes.”
