Incredible shift from Tongan Trojan

LIKE many of you I scour the pages of The Rugby

Paper most Sundays reading the reports and results of many teams in the lower leagues and the rise and rise of Ampthill under Paul Turner has been a heartwarming feel-good story.

Most weeks, there in the six point type in the Ampthill pack has been the name Molitika. Without much thought I assumed it was a younger brother, nephew or even a son of Ma’ama Molitika, one of the very best Tongan forwards of his era and a great servant with Cardiff among many clubs.

So firstly huge apologies to Ma’ama, below, who announced his retirement from senior rugby this week at the age of 45. For it was he all the time.

What an incredible shift from a player who first came to prominence with Hamilton and Fraser Tech in New Zealand before he appeared for Waikato B in 1996, the same year he made his Tonga debut against New Zealand Maori. Then came spells at Bridgend, Celtic Warriors, Harlequins, IBM in Japan, San Dora in Italy and Cardiff where he made 112 appearance and shared in an AngloWelsh Cup triumph in 2007 and helped the Blues to the European Challenge Cup final in 2010.

It seemed the end was nigh when he joined Ampthill on a short term contract in 2013 but only now, after 160 appearances for the Bedfordshire club, has he finally hung up his boots.

“My professional career has spanned over 21 years and I am lucky to have experienced all the things I have, from playing for my country and being selected for the Barbarians through to each and every club,” said Molitika as he made his announcement this week when he also hinted that he wants to stay in the game as a coach. His boss Turner would seem to concur.

“You will remain as one of the key figures in our great climb up the leagues into the Championship. Both your on-field performances and your off-field manner have been outstanding,” was the gaffer’s message.