From rags to riches
In an effort to boost Tongas profile at last years World Cup and give the teams main sponsor a bit of publicity, Epi Taione changed his name to Paddy Power.
Its the name of an Irish bookie, and the Tongans also tried to colour their hair green later in the tournament - a move the IRB quickly banned.
Fast forward six months and Taione is living in a different world.
Part of the Sharks Super 14 squad, he gets to travel business class, stay in five-star hotels and has the best support, coaching, training and medical advice the rand can buy.
But squashed into an impossibly small seat in the bar at the Sharks Wellington hotel, Taione remembers all too well the poverty that comes with playing for Tonga.
There was a European tour a few years ago when the Tongan test side didnt have tracksuits. Things werent that bad in France last year, but life was far from plush.
Hence the name change. Tonga was pushed into a corner where we were forced to raise funds to prepare for the World Cup, Taione said.
We managed to go to France, and Tonga probably had its best World Cup ever, thanks to people like that [Paddy Power].
Without the support of business people in the UK, Tonga and here in New Zealand, we wouldnt have been able to make it to the World Cup. Its the reason I did that [changed his name].
Its an unlevel playing field. The IRB is trying its best to sort that, but its very unfair and we just cant compete at that level if it goes on.
Taione was born in Tonga, and was educated at Matamata College till he went on a school trip to Britain in 1997 and met former All Black Vaaiga Tuigamala at Newcastle.
Taione had played rugby only socially as a child, and it was Tuigamala who talked him into taking rugby seriously - as a wing, of course. He encouraged me to take up the sport. That friendship is still with me. He is a father figure to me.
It wasnt long before Taione moved into the loose forwards as part of Rob Andrews academy at Newcastle alongside a chap called Jonny Wilkinson.
He was at Newcastle from 1997 to 2004, when he moved to the Sale Sharks under French coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
Things took a turn for the worse there, however, in 2006. I was banned for six months for biting. It was nothing malicious. I admit to it. There was no mark or anything, and thats in the past. I resigned from the club and went to Japan.
It was from Japan, and having impressed against South Africa, that Taione was recruited by the Sharks.
At 29, Taione said it was time to experience a competition he had admired from afar.
I have pretty much been to every league in the world and, looking back, the Super 14 was the only rugby I hadnt tried. Its exciting and its massive in Europe. Id been playing Heineken Cup for about seven years and I wanted a change.
When the opportunity came, it was too good to turn down.
Taione got his first taste against the Reds last week and will provide plenty of impact off the bench against the Hurricanes tomorrow night.
It will be his first match against the Hurricanes loose trio dubbed The Bouncers - Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe and Rodney Sooialo - and he cant wait.
Those guys are arguably, as a unit, one of the best in the world. Its a challenge for me but the most important one is for the Sharks.
We know they are desperate for the win. After last weeks defeat to the Crusaders, they will be up for this. Its a massive task for us.
AT A GLANCE
Position: Loose forward
Physical: 1.93m, 123kg
Province: Sharks
Born: March 2, 1979, Kapa (Tonga)
Super 14 caps: 1
Super 14 debut: 2008 v Reds
Test caps: 15 (Tonga)
Test points: 5
Test debut: 2007 v Samoa
Posted
on
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm under