James Lay's 'shocked' reaction to being named Moana Pasifika captain
Moana Pasifika recruit James Lay admits he was “shocked” when he was asked to captain the team under new coach Tana Umaga.
The former Bristol and Blues prop enjoyed a strong Rugby World Cup campaign with Manu Samoa in 2023, coming off the bench in the side’s one-point loss to eventual bronze medallists England.
Lay says the opportunity of captaincy came out of the blue, somewhat fitting for a club connected by the ocean.
“I’m humbled and just very grateful for the opportunity first and foremost,” he told RNZ. “For me, I’m just the voice of the players and I’m just gunning to continue to be myself with the support of the other leaders around me.
“At first I was definitely shocked, a bit of a curveball in my direction, I didn’t really expect it at all. To be asked for that honour, I’m just grateful, my family’s very, very happy and I’m just trying to stay grounded and do my thing.”
Now tasked with leading a club that has struggled in its first two seasons in Super Rugby Pacific, the 30-year-old said he would lean on experienced international players like Sekope Kepu, Christian Lealiifano and fellow new recruit Julian Savea.
“I’m lucky that I’ve got a good leadership group around me with plenty of experience,” he told media earlier in the week. “I’ve been impressed with how they’re leading the team. I can take a step back and allow them to deliver key messages as well.
“I got some nice personal messages from the boys in that group, and they just said they’ve got my back no matter what. They’re here to support me with whatever we need.
“As a team we want to put in performances that our people will be proud of. We want our fans and our people to look up to us and get behind us in what we’re trying to achieve.
“For me I just need to focus on being the best version of myself and hopefully the others will follow.”
For Umaga, Lay represents the work ethic and attitude he wants to instil in the squad, setting the tone for a team that managed just one win in 2023.
“James is a hard worker and he leads through his actions as much as he leads through his words,” said Umaga. “The way he plays, he doesn’t cut corners and showcases all the values that this team’s about.
“For us he was a stand out choice and we had a lot of choices in this group.
“He’s not one that leads because he wants to be seen or known, but he leads because that’s his nature.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments