Speedster Veainu on fast track to full-back success
TELUSA Veainu has vowed to repay Leicester’s faith in him by becoming a top-class full-back and bringing major silverware to Welford Road.
Veainu was signed by Tigers as a winger following his success with Tonga at the 2015 World Cup. However this season has seen the 26-year-old excel as Tigers’ last line of defence – a change in position the gifted flyer is happy to embrace. Veainu told The Rugby
Paper: “I’m still learning the full-back role but I’ve had world-class guys like Mat Tait and Geordan Murphy giving me feedback and feel more confident in what I’m doing.
“I’ll play anywhere for Tigers as long as I’m on the field, but we’ve got other quality wingers at the club and Matt O’Connor feels this is where I’m best suited.
“Matty’s given me confidence and a licence to play my natural game and he doesn’t put too much pressure on me. I’ve enjoyed the way we’re playing and although I’ve made a few mistakes, I’m determined to make this a success.”
New Zealand-born Veainu struggled to make a mark in Super Rugby with the Crusaders, Highlanders and Rebels, appearing just 15 times over five seasons.
However, he has become a firm crowd favourite at Welford Road and, with his contract newly extended, trophies are in his sights.
“Re-signing was an easy decision,” Veainu said. “I’m settled at this club. We’ve got something special going here with a great bunch of boys and we believe in what we’re trying to achieve.
“It saved my career coming to Leicester; they gave me an opportunity when no one in Super Rugby wanted me and playing at Welford Road is a great honour.
“We’ve had the heartbreak of losing big semi-finals in the last two seasons but we’re determined to get Leicester back to trophy-winning ways. That’s one of the reasons I stayed at this club; the fans are so loyal and we want to reward them.”
Tigers face a daunting Champions Cup assignment in Munster this Saturday ahead of a Welford Road return the following week, before taking on Premiership title rivals Saracens and Exeter in quick succession over the festive period.
Veainu said: “It’s incredible that we’re meeting Munster again and there’ll be a lot of calibre coming at us because they’re big, bruising games.
“Thomond Park is a special place. It’s probably one of the hardest places to win in world rugby and to do well there you have to go to a dark place deep within yourself, but we’ve proved we can do that by winning there before.
“It’s a big few weeks that will decide where we are in both competitions.”
Veainu sat out Tonga’s autumn campaign but insists he remains committed to Test rugby.
He added: “Tigers have good relations with the Pacific teams and Matty and (Tonga coach) Toutai Kefu agreed it would be best if I had time off.
“I’ll be available for their next games, though, and I still have big World Cup ambitions.”