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Charles Piutau on the 'hardest point in my career so far'

Charles Piutau

Charles Piutau is widely regarded as one of the most talented backs in world rugby, expected to go on and win many more All Blacks caps than his current tally of sixteen.

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In a candid interview with Donald McRae of the Guardian, Piatau discusses his rationale behind leaving New Zealand in 2015 just before the Rugby World Cup.

A World Cup you would presume Piutau would be a part of and it all seems to have happened remarkably last minute.

“That was the hardest point in my career so far,” Piutau says.

“It was another dream to play in a World Cup – and falling short was tough. But the Ulster offer came out of the blue.”

“I was counting on my agent agreeing a contract with New Zealand and he had to tell me about Ulster the night before we were meant to finalise things.”

“I was like: ‘You’ve got to give me two weeks to think about this.’ I wasn’t thinking of coming overseas.”

Piutau didn’t have the easiest start to life, giving a greater insight as to why he was willing to forgo additional All Black caps for a big money move abroad.

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He speaks of growing up in Mangere a tough suburb of Auckland the youngest of a family of ten.

He and his brothers “lived in the garage. We had three beds and a couple of bunk beds. I guess they were hard times but it never felt like that,” said Piutau.

“It speaks volumes for my parents that I never thought ‘I’m still hungry’ or ‘I need clothes.”

“But you look back at 12 people needing to be fed and you think: ‘How did they do it?’ I just take the positives – the love they showed and the discipline they taught us.”

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It was that love and admiration of his parents that ultimately swayed Piutau’s decision to emigrate, as it would give him the ability to provide for his family.

“When I was in New Zealand it felt like the All Blacks were everything,” said Piutau.

“It felt like you were going to play forever.”

“You felt invincible.”

“But, taking a step back, you realise it’s such a short career.”

“For me, what really hit home was remembering everything my parents had done for me and my siblings.”

“They left Tonga for New Zealand to give us better opportunities.”

“And for me, coming here, I had the same chance to do something similar for my family.”

 

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Mzilikazi 2 hours ago
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That’s a good post, Sk.


I’m going to jump on this one; “Also the squad isnt exactly bursting with talent which you could confidently say will be there come 2031 especially when you consider how young players are being hunted by foreign clubs.”


That has to change for any coach on this planet to ever have a realistic chance of winning the Webb Ellis. Australia is in a unique position, bad one, of having so much competition for rugby talent, men and women. Rugby League exists in the north in the UK as a challenge, is to some extent a threat in NZ, but I would judge minor, present in France, but is not a serious threat. Big one here is AFL, which is unique to Australia. Soccer is another, which ofc exists worldwide. Actually soccer would take away a lot of world class talent in the UK as far as backs go. That is not often talked about, recognised.


I have a story one that one. I went to a senior school in Belfast, rugby only, and one of the kids, little guy, was a brilliant soccer player, a huge sport in N.Ireland. The big lads, Yr12/Sixth formers, always grabbed him to play in the little school yard games played at lunch break(tennis ball only, so no broken windows). Rest of us just played in our year group teams. The little guy did not want to play rugby, as that would have meant no Sat. soccer for him. So he left after First form, and went to a soccer school.


When we were about 15, we heard teh little guy was going over to Man. United to try his luck from apprentice level. He did well.


Oh yes, his name….Georgie Best. Just imagine if he had fallen in love with rugby, played 10/13/15 for Ireland !

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