'We've a quirky handshake that is only for us Bristol players... it's special'
Steven Luatua is convinced Pat Lam is firmly on track to repeat at Bristol what he achieved when overhauling unfashionable Connacht.
The Irish province were only making up the numbers in the PRO12 when the Samoan first arrived in Galway in April 2013. Three years later, they were incredibly league champions and it made rugby more popular than it had ever been in an area of Ireland where the sports landscape was dominated by Gaelic games.
Lam is now up to his old tricks in England, trying to replicate the winning Connacht formula on and off the pitch in the football-dominated city of Bristol on the banks of the Avon river.
It has been a slow build. When Luatua initially agreed to leave behind life in New Zealand, the English club were still in the Premiership. When he arrived they had been demoted to the Championship. Quite the fall from grace.
They are re-establishing their status, though. They are back in the Premiership and while wins have proven scarce (just five in 15 outings), Luatua had no hesitation telling RugbyPass that Bristol’s potential to do better convinced him to extend his stay and see through the Lam project to its completion.
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“The way we play and the way the game plan has been designed, it definitely suits me,” enthused Luatua, the former All Black who agreed in December to extend his contract and stay at the club until 2021.
“Trying to inspire our community through our rugby is something that has always been big in the clubs that I used to play for. It’s not only about rugby, it’s about everyone else involved in it.
“The game plan was definitely something on paper that looked different but I was all in to learn. At first it was a bit challenging but I came up here with an open mind and with the expectation to learn. I have done that and our team is slowly understanding the concepts, the maps of the game plan we’re trying to implement.
“It has taken time but we’re now putting little touches on it. For example that pass on the edge on the weekend (Luatua’s one-handed off-load was critical in setting up a try versus Gloucester) shows we’re still able to express ourselves in the system and we’re slowly starting to click as a team.
“What inspires me about Pat is that he has got a game plan that he believes in. It is very exciting and that keeps me pretty young. It’s very positive for us in this environment knowing there is more than one way to play rugby and if we execute it well we can expose teams.”
Along the way, Lam has used successful team bonding ploys from his Connacht days to cultivate a more united team spirit at Bristol, who attracted a bumper attendance of nearly 17,000 to their Friday night game last week.
? "It's just an unbelievable story!" ?
Ahead of Glasgow's visit to the Sportsground on Saturday here's a throwback to one of our most unforgettable days, the semi-final victory en route to the 2015/16 title.#MonthOfChampions ? ?? https://t.co/2tx27pjSMh pic.twitter.com/SShXMcDQeT
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) August 29, 2018
“He made us carry a ball around last year for the most part of the season (when we were off duty) and this season we have got a quirky handshake that is only for us Bristol players and it is how we greet each other.
“We know in the morning it’s part of our culture to get around and acknowledge everyone in the team, to say hello and be connecting. We have kept it pretty simple. It’s the sort of handshake that is special to us, but it’s not as complex as the Connacht one,” explained Luatua, who was taken in by the buzz generated by last weekend’s rare derby win over Gloucester.
“It was great. We got to sing our team song, which we hadn’t got to sing in quite a while. That is always uplifting, and it was good to see (club owner) Steve Lansdown in the changing room afterwards enjoying the moment with the team.
My guys ?? Thanks everyone for the support, the Gate was something special. Appreciate y’all pic.twitter.com/ahGvrJiEd1
— Steven Luatua (@StevenLuatua) March 2, 2019
“Our support has been fantastic, but to really reward them for being so faithful and for being through the tough times was great. Hopefully that gets more bums on seats for the next games and they keep coming back hoping they can experience what they experienced last week.”
This weekend presents a massive test of Bristol’s growth – the challenge of putting together back-to-back wins in the league. Their previous successes this season were following by losing sequences of two, two, one and three losses before they managed to register their next W. Saturday’s trip to Northampton can rectify this annoying habit.
“If we get on a good run and get a few back-to-back wins we can definitely push into the top six and hopefully higher up, but we will just take it a week at a time. Our next goal is to get back-to-back.
“That is one thing we haven’t managed to do yet. We win and then lose a couple before having another win. It’s definitely one of our goals, to be consistent and repetitive in what we do.”
New Zealand is still close to Luatua’s heart. For instance, he didn’t personally know Blues prop Mike Tamoaieta who tragically passed away, but was shaken all the same by last week’s events.
“It’s one of those things you can’t control. I didn’t know him. By the time I had left the Blues he hadn’t made the team at that stage. But it’s pretty sad. Once a Blues member, always a Blues member. The whole club is feeling it.”
We are deeply saddened by the news of Mikey’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those lucky enough to have known him.
We love you Mikey T ?
Blues Brother #276 pic.twitter.com/Od7J1Gv5j7
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 1, 2019
A move back to New Zealand in June at the end of his initial contract could have put Luatua in the frame for World Cup selection, but life in England was too enjoyable to up sticks and leave. American football at Wembley? Check. Soccer over at Barcelona? Check. To put it mildly, he has been making great use of his little breaks in the season here and there.
“I have no regrets coming over here and my decision to stay longer is because we have enjoyed it. My partner is very happy here. Before I even mentioned it she was wondering if we were going to stay on and I was like, ‘That’s a good point.’ It worked out well. The club wanted me to stay on and so did my partner so why move?
“One of the things I love about Bristol is walking around and enjoying a cup of coffee, enjoying being in among the public. Football is No1 which is great for us. We just flit in around that and get about our business,” said Luatua, whose has kept an eye on the unfolding Six Nations and been taken in by how physical some collisions have been.
Massive day at Wembley. So massive my phone died ? Glad to have seen Carson Wentz go at it. #FutureHallOfFamer @nfluk pic.twitter.com/6hHt4XD6kq
— Steven Luatua (@StevenLuatua) October 28, 2018
“The beauty in being on this side of the world is that Barcelona, for example, is on your doorstep and for me and my partner coming from down under, we’re just trying to make the most of the getting around to see what the UK and Europe has to offer.
“It’s a work/life balance. All the times I have been away, as weird as it sounds it has made me miss rugby, miss touching a ball and getting out there with your mates. Having that feeling after a break is definitely refreshing. It gives me that bit of an energy burst to get cracking into the next block.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments