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'When I played for Australia, I gave everything, but that’s not where I was born'

Lopeti Timani of Cardiff during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Cardiff at RDS Arena in Dublin. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Having just posted season’s best figures in the BKT URC, Lopeti Timani is clearly thriving in his new role at Cardiff Rugby.

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The official stats show the tireless Tongan made a remarkable 30 carries in the 22-22 draw with Zebre Parma out in northern Italy last weekend.

That’s more than any other player in the league this term by some distance, with the previous best having been 22 by Emirates Lions flanker Emmanuel Tshituka in Round 3.

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      On top of that, the 6ft 5ins, 19st 2lbs Timani also claimed a sharply taken try, put in 12 tackles, conjured up three offloads and secured two turnovers.

      By any measure, it was some performance from the man who has played Test rugby for both Australia and Tonga.

      It was confirmation he is really coming into his own in his second season with Cardiff, having switched to No 8 after spending most of last term in the second row.

      “That’s where I reckon I play my best rugby,” he says.

      Timani is also relishing the approach to the game at the Arms Park – and in the BKT URC in general – after spending four years in France with La Rochelle and Toulon.

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      “I enjoy being here. The training and the style of rugby is similar to what I had back in Australia,” says the former Melbourne Rebels star. “In Australia, rugby is a running game, it’s all about playing quick. When I moved to France, it was a different kind of rugby they played there. It was more set-piece stuff, all about the strong man at scrum and mauling.

      “In my head, Wales meant running rugby. That’s why I moved here, so I could get involved again in that style of game I was brought up on in Australia, which I like to play.”

      Born in the Tongan village of Navutoka, he made his mark at age-grade level, but then moved to Australia when he was 18, initially switching to rugby league. He returned to the 15-a-side game after a couple of years and soon caught the eye with the Waratahs, ahead of joining the Rebels.

      Then came 12 caps in the back row with the Wallabies.

      Timani La Rochelle
      (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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      With the move to France, it looked as though his international career was over until World Rugby changed the eligibility rules, enabling him to play for the land of his birth, having not appeared for the Wallabies for three years.

      So it was that he made history by becoming the first man to play for a second country under the new rules, stepping out for Tonga against England at Twickenham in November 2021.

      “When I played for Australia, I gave everything, but that’s not where I was born and bred,” he says.

      “It’s a different emotional feeling playing for your own country. It’s more than rugby. It’s very special.”

      Now Timani has found a new home from home in Cardiff for himself and his family, with three children – two boys and a girl – all under the age of five.

      “It’s busy every day – chaos. It’s crazy in the house!” he says.

      “But we have settled in well and are really enjoying our time here, with the parks and the cafes.

      “Everyone has been so nice, all the players, the staff and the fans.”

      The 33-year-old has played at countless grounds around the world on a rugby journey that has taken in two codes, numerous competitions and two international careers.

      But, for him, there are few places as unique as his current home – the Arms Park.

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      He will run out there once again on Friday night when Cardiff play hosts to the DHL Stormers in Round 6 of the BKT URC.

      Explaining why he likes the ground so much, he said: “It’s one of those stadiums where the supporters are so close to the field. So you can hear all the noise when you are running around.

      “Some stadiums, the fans are so far away. But here you can hear what people are shouting because they are so close.

      “It’s good. It helps the players to get through when it’s a tough game.

      “It was awesome for the Vodacom Bulls match and I am sure it will be the same for the DHL Stormers.”

      Reflecting on Cardiff’s season so far, he said: “We could have won all our games. They have been so close.

      “It’s just about finishing strongly and getting the one per cents right.

      “It’s going to be a big challenge for us against the DHL Stormers. The South African sides are always very physical.

      “But if we can get the win, it will give us some momentum going forward for the next few weeks.”

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      R
      RedWarrior 4 minutes ago
      Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

      The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

      I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

      We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

      Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

      Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

      But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

      Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

      Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

      9 Go to comments
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      LONG READ Ireland are Six Nations favourites but issues are starting to mount Ireland are Six Nations favourites but issues are starting to mount
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