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'Writing was on the wall': Force recruit reveals why he left New Zealand
By Finn Morton
Western Force recruit Chase Tiatia has opened up about his stunning move across the ditch ahead of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
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Boasting an impressive skillset and knowledge of the sport, Tiatia was a familiar face in the New Zealand Rugby provincial scene for almost a decade.
After making his debut for Wellington in 2014 at just 19 years of age, he went on to play for both Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay.
The utility back even won the Duane Monkley Medal (provincial player-of-the-year) in 2019 after a stellar NPC campaign.
But Tiatia was unable to make his mark at Super Rugby level, as he struggled to cement his place in the starting XV at both the Chiefs and Hurricanes.
Tiatia made his Chiefs debut against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, but couldn’t force his way into Dave Rennie’s matchday squad.
Searching for his Super Rugy debut, the fullback decided to move south to the capital, where he embodied the term ‘impact player.’
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But the Lower Hutt-born talent later returned to Hamilton after requesting an early release from the Hurricanes.
However, after playing in 21 matches over two seasons, the 27-year-old believed that it was time for him to move on.
“I’m getting a little bit on now. Everyone my age is heading up overseas,” Tiatia told RugbyPass.
“The writing was on the wall at the Chiefs, there’s a lot of young guys coming through, Damian McKenzie coming back.
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“I didn’t really want to play for any other New Zealand franchise for the season this year.”
Western Force assistant coach Mark Ozich played a crucial role in Tiatia’s decision to head across the Tasman.
The former Hawke’s Bay head coach tried to sign Tiatia “for a few years”, and remained interested in acquiring his services after moving to Perth.
“I got hit up by Mark Ozich. He chased me from Bay of Plenty for a few years, trying to get me to Hawke’s Bay,” he added.
“He finally moved over here and asked me what I was doing, if I was interested, if I was keen.
“(Simon Cron) Crono and (Matt Hodgson) Hodgo started to chat to me and asked me if I was keen and showed me a plan for the next couple of years.
“I thought I’d be a good addition to the team. I agreed with what they were saying and liked the plan they have in store for the Force.
“Hopefully in the next couple of years we’re at the top, if not winning championships.”
The Western Force missed out on the playoffs last season by the barest of margins.
Points difference proved to be the determining factor in their pursuit of finals football, as the Highlanders finished the regular season in eighth place instead.
But Tiatia, who started at fullback in the Force’s preseason clash with Fijian Drua, has promised supporters that they’ll “definitely be in the playoffs.”
“We’ll definitely be in the playoffs this year.
“From the management, coaching staff, physios, doctors, all the way through to our academy boys coming through, they’ve put a good template in place and the boys are working really hard to achieve the goals that they want to achieve this year.
“That’s a promise for the people in Perth.”
The Western Force kick off their Super Rugby Pacific season against rivals the Melbourne Rebels on February 25.
Sad to see you leave our shores boy. I guarantee any Western Force player that tracks Chase and runs of his shoulder will find himself on the score sheet more often than not. Just because he's looking the other way doesn't mean he can't see you and doesn't know you're there, just be ready to receive his pass and find yourself in space . Fa'amalosi Chase.