Kapeli Pifeleti: 'That’s pretty much the only reason I left'

Kapeli Pifeleti describes his departure from Saracens as “inevitable”. Making 53 appearances in almost six years at StoneX Stadium the hooker recently completed a mid-season move to Pro D2 outfit Provence Rugby to get more game time.

After long-term shoulder injuries and competing behind England internationals Jamie George and Theo Dan the USA international felt the need to leave North London.

Now sat in his new Aix-en-Provence flat, basking in the warm glow of a debut win over Mont-de-Marsan on Thursday night, that earned the squad Sunday off, Pifeleti discussed his decision to leave the club that gave him his start in professional rugby.

The Famous Grouse Spirit of Rugby

The Famous Grouse Spirit of Rugby

“I was at the point of my career that I wanted to play consistently,” he said.

“I have been at Sarries for so long and I learnt so much from that club, from people like Jamie George and being there with my cousins Mako and Bill (Vunipola).

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“But I needed to play, and it would have been difficult to behind Jamie, Theo Dan and James Hadfield.

“I hadn’t really played much in the last 18 months when I signed with Provence.

“They said I would play and that’s pretty much the only reason I left – to play consistently.

“The only way I could continue growing was to consistently play. Provence offered that.”

“I was always going to look at coming down to France at some point.

“The way they play rugby suits me a lot more than the kick-chase gameplan. I am really enjoying it.”

The USA Eagle even called on the advice of his England international cousins, Mako and Billy Vunipola, to help in making his decision.

Both leaving Saracens in the summer for pastures new across the Channel, the pair have quickly adapted to life in the Top 14 with Vannes and Montpellier and had nothing but praise for their change in scenery.

“Probably the biggest person I spoke to was Bill,” Pifeleti explained.

“It was tough for me because I had been out for so long and Sarries had unbelievable options at hooker.

“He said that ever since he had moved to France he has loved it and I deserved to play.

“Simmone and Judah (Billy’s wife and son) love the French lifestyle and from what I have heard from Mako and his family, they are loving France as well.”

After first agreeing to come to Provence in the Summer, a spate of injuries at the Stade Maurice David led to Pifeleti being asked if he could move forward his plans.

But at Saracens there were issues too.

In the hooker department Hadfield had gone under the knife after an ankle injury and in the space of a week both Jamie George and Samson Adejimi sustained hamstring strains.

But even in the face of that, Pifeleti received the full backing of the club after meeting with Director of Rugby, Mark McCall, and performance Director, Phil Morrow.

“Mark was very supportive of me,” Pifeleti said. “He understood my frustration of wanting to play consistently.

“It is tough when you have England’s one and two hookers and so many mouths to feed.

“It was the right thing. He could have easily made me stay and stick around just in case of injuries, which there are a lot of at Sarries at the moment, but was kind and gracious enough to let me leave early.”

That need for regular rugby has never been more apparent.

Since Scott Lawrence’s arrival as USA head coach there has been a raft of new talent brought into the squad.

Debuts for Shilo Klein and Sean McNulty have put competition for positions at their peak as the Eagles look to put the pain of missing out on 2023 Rugby World qualification firmly in the rearview mirror.

Never having enjoyed playing Test rugby as much as in these past months, in which time the USA have finished fourth in the Pacific Nations Cup and enjoyed an unbeaten end-of-year tour of Europe, the 25-year-old’s dream of playing at a home World Cup in 2031 remains well and truly alive.

In joining Provence, Pifeleti had arrived at a club with lofty ambitions.

Last summer alone the side made headlines with the recruitment of British & Irish Lions duo George North and Tomas Francis, Wallabies Izack Rodda and Ned Hanigan, and France international Jules Plisson.

Currently second overall in the Pro D2 table after 20 rounds of action, the club seem hell-bent on challenging for a Top 14 place in May and June.

Reunited with former Saracens prop Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Pifeleti’s debut on Thursday night could not have gone better.

Scoring a try in a 44-37 win over Mont-de-Marsan, Provence not only got another five points on the board but also registered just a second away win of the season.

“I was chucked in a bit at the deep end,” Pifeleti laughed. “I didn’t really know the lineouts, the system was in French and I have only been here for two weeks.

“But I kept chipping away and learning French. I really enjoyed Thursday night.

“It is different to what I am used to. Sarries is very structured, and you know what to do against certain teams, but here you just wing it.

“It is just running straight and hitting them. It suits the way I play.”

Pretty soon Pifeleti will adjust to this new life of three-hour naps on gameday, double espresso shots in the evening and the team’s owner, Denis Philipon, being in the changing room at half time.

Right now Provence are in the midst of their own injury crisis.

With only 24 fit senior players available, Provence are training opposite their Espoirs side and expect a number of those youngsters to step up.

Next up for the side is a visit from fellow promotion hopefuls Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente this Friday night.

It will offer Pifeleti the chance to ingratiate himself to a new home support and maintain a spotless record in front of a sell-out home support.