Moana Pasifika star eyes Super Rugby redemption following weight battle
It’s been three years since Levi Aumua last played Super Rugby, but the new Moana Pasifika recruit is ready to have another crack at it after overcoming a long-standing battle with his weight.
Formerly a member of the Chiefs and Blues, Aumua racked up a grand total of just four appearances between 2018 and 2019, with all of those matches coming while he played for the Auckland-based side three years ago.
That figure that doesn’t reflect the promise and talent he has shown while plying his trade at domestic level with Tasman across two stints since 2017.
A barnstorming midfielder capable of playing at either second-five or centre, Aumua has made a name for himself in New Zealand’s NPC as a damaging ball-carrier whose imposing physical stature has left opposition defences reeling in his wake.
Those traits have also enabled him to play all over the world for clubs in France, Australia and Japan, but it’s in Super Rugby where he wants to be.
Having been afforded few opportunities by the Chiefs and Blues to stamp his authority over proceedings at that level, Aumua is eager to make better use of his time at Moana Pasifika in their debut Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
He is confident of doing so after registering for pre-season training in career-best condition following a lengthy struggle with his weight, which he said prevented him from reaching his best during his time at the Chiefs and Blues.
“Obviously, I’ve always had a bit of an issue with my ongoing fight with my weight,” he told RugbyPass when asked about how his experiences with the Blues and Chiefs have helped prepare him to embark on his debut campaign with Moana Pasifika.
“This is probably the best shape or weight I’ve ever been at. Even though I’ve been through those teams, they brought me to this point where I’m feeling good, I’m feeling myself, and I’m helping other boys do the same thing, so I’m looking forward to the season.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt in my shape.”
Perhaps his newly-trimmed physique is a testament to Moana Pasifika’s pre-season training regime, but Aumua said it took some time for him to address his weight, which – at its peak – had been listed as 118kg at previous stages in his career.
It wasn’t until he trekked abroad to play for the Hino Red Dolphins and Toyota Shuttles Industries in Japan that he realised he needed to take action in a bid to revive his Super Rugby career.
“I would definitely say it was one of the big issues [that held him back at the Chiefs and Blues],” Aumua told RugbyPass.
“It took me a while to find my way with it, but going to Japan, playing over there, did a bit of reflecting, and I still had the hunger to play Super Rugby.
“Coming into this environment, it was still there, so something just clicked and I’m back here and giving it another go.”
Now ingrained in the Moana Pasifika set-up, Aumua has set his sights on gaining redemption over the two teams that released him earlier in his career.
“Definitely, the Blues especially,” Aumua said of his eagerness to beat the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika’s cross-town rivals.
“I’ve got a lot of mates still there [at the Blues], but I’d say the Crusaders would be one [team he’d like to beat]. Most of my Tasman mates are back at the Crusaders. Everyone wants to beat them.”
Aumua may well get the chance to knock off one of those teams as early as February 18 when Moana Pasifika host the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific season-opener at Mt Smart Stadium.
A strong performance in that match could pave the way for regular starting honours in the Moana Pasifika backline, where he will likely compete for starting honours with Solomone Kata, Danny Toala, Henry Taefu and Fine Inisi.
If he manages to keep those players at bay and hold his place in Moana Pasifika’s starting lineup, it wouldn’t surprise to see Aumua’s chances of an international call-up for either Samoa or Fiji receive a significant boost.
Eligible for both countries, Aumua said that, with next year’s World Cup broadening on the horizon, this is the year he will seriously begin to push for test rugby, although which country he would opt to play for remains up in the air.
“I haven’t given it that much thought. I wouldn’t say no, though, to either team. Definitely this is the year that I would consider [playing for Samoa or Fiji]. I just don’t know who I’d rather upset out of mum or dad. I’ll leave it up to them.”
Before then, though, Aumua is intent on helping guide Moana Pasifika to a successful maiden season in Super Rugby Pacific, one of which he hopes the new expansion franchise will be a source of pride for their Pacific Island supporters.
“For us, we just play for the love of sport, we play for the Pacific, for our families, for our ancestors, and all the people of Pacific rugby that’s been before us, so making them proud – whether we win or lose – would be the biggest thing,” he told RugbyPass.
“Also, for us, we’ve got our own system of rugby, play how we want to play and play to our strengths. If that works for us, I guess we’ll take that as a win.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments