Ben Tameifuna likes to play his rugby ‘on the edge’ and the big man has proven to be a difficult opponent for the worlds best over the years.
This colourful character will depart for French rugby side Racing Metro at the end of the year and will leave a big hole in the New Zealand (NZ) rugby landscape. Tameifuna is one of the biggest prop’s playing rugby in the world; weighing 142kg, he carries it well, often playing 60 minutes plus per game and his ability to overpower opponents in the breakdown is critical to retaining possession.
Tameifuna is a weapon on defence also, he has put in many big hits over the years. Often a highlight on sports news reports for that reason alone, in recent games Tameifuna has showcased his ability to offload the ball. A key weapon for the likes of centre’s or wingers, the ‘big guy’ has produced some great work going into the tackle area.
Becoming a mainstay for the Chiefs rugby team in Super Rugby since his debut in 2012, Ben was a part of the successful 2012/2013 championship winning sides.
A talented prop, he is proud of those accomplishments but is all too often criticised for his high penalty rate in games. He is a combative individual and takes a back-step to no man, though last year was in trouble with the judiciary for shoving NZ rugby referee Glen Jackson during a game. He was subsequently handed a tough five week ban for that incident.
His decision to leave NZ rugby at the end of this year wasn’t made overnight. A lucrative offer from French club Racing Metro made the prop have to think seriously about staying with the Chiefs? or to head abroad to make some serious money. Tameifuna says that having a young family was an important factor in his decision to take up Racings’ offer.
Tameifuna has signed for three years with the French Top 14 club where he will join All Black Dan Carter in 2016. Currently playing ITM Cup rugby for Waikato, Tameifuna will leave for France at the end of this season. He leaves with the best wishes of Waikato and Chiefs Rugby, and by all accounts NZ rugby.
The media speculated earlier this year that Tameifuna may represent Tonga at this years Rugby World Cup, but NZR halted plans for that months ago. Born on 30 August 1991 in Auckland, NZ to a Tongan family, he is eligible to play for either Tonga or the favoured New Zealand All Blacks.
Part of the victorious national Under-20 team that won the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, Ben has been in All Black contention for many years. Involved in several training camps but never selected for the full team squad, he has not worn the black jersey since an early shot at making the team. At 24 years of age, he has youth on his side and he tells me that a return to New Zealand is not completely off the cards.
His Waikato Rugby side play Auckland at Waikato Stadium on Saturday the 5th September, in another classic ‘provincial battle’ and he would love dearly to leave these shores at the top of the ITM Cup Premiership table.
Last Word on Sport (LWOS) caught up with Ben Tameifuna for a quick chat at Waikato Stadium, and asked him:
LWOS: You had a pretty good game against Bay of Plenty to help setup that first try, how did you feel you performed?
Ben: “It wasn’t too bad, I had a tight calf in the first twenty minutes so there is room for improvement [in my fitness] there but I was just trying to showcase some of the ball skills I possess on the field”.
LWOS: You have a relatively high penalty count against you, are you working on that?
Ben: “I like to play the game on the edge, you know, play as close to the rules as possible and whatever you can get away with you do. I just like to play the game with risk”.
LWOS: How hard a decision was it to leave NZ rugby and a potential place in the All Blacks sometime in the future?
Ben: “It was pretty hard but having a young family, I had to look at the offer from Racing Metro twice and the chance to go overseas and make some real money, but I am lucky because I am still young so I can still comeback after three years and have another crack”.
LWOS: Were there any discussions with Tonga in terms of representing them at this years’ RWC?
Ben: “I’ve still got paperwork that is holding me back, so unfortunately not”.
LWOS: What is your game day routine? Walk me through the day and your preparation.
Ben: “I usually sleep in until about one o’clock, even if the sun is out I will keep the curtains closed and then slowly get up. I try not to think about the game at all because it can be very draining. I spend time with my girls and watch a little TV. Then late afternoon I meet with the team, have our pre-match meal and then it is time to get the boots on and get ready to go out and smash”.
If the fire for an All Blacks debut is still burning, Ben Tameifuna will try to give it one last crack. ‘Playing on the edge’ is what people know Tameifuna for, but the man has a big heart and Last Word On Sports wishes him all the best with Waikato for the rest of this season, and on his career in France.
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