Ex-Connacht man Ahki is the rock at heart of Toulouse’s classy midfield
TOULOUSE knew a good Kiwi when they see one. Byron Kelleher, Luke McAllister, Charlie Faumuina and Jerome Kaino all made huge impacts during their stints with the French giants.
All four had impressive CVs before they joined. All four were All Blacks as well. Marquee signings to boot. Blockbuster recruitment befitting a club of this stature.
There was little fanfare when Pita Ahki arrived in 2018.
The Tongan-born centre had something of a nomadic career prior to his switch to Toulouse.
He did the rounds in New Zealand, playing for North Harbour, Auckland Blues, Wellington Hurricanes and Waikato before a former mentor – Kieran Keane – offered him a deal with Connacht.
It was a new start for a player who was hampered by injuries and form issues on his home patch.
In five seasons of Super Rugby, he mustered just 14 appearances. A one-way ticket to Ireland was a fresh start for him and his young family.
Ahki signed up and made the move to Galway. Keane, who had succeeded Pat Lam, would be handed his P45 within 12 months, while Ahki had failed to make the desired impact at the Sportsground.
A hard-running customer with a similar sounding surname remained centre-stage out west.
Ahki would make just seven appearances in the green jersey, starting just three games during an ill-fated season. Maybe he would have found his groove under Andy Friend?
No matter, Connacht’s loss has been Toulouse’s gain. They were light in midfield and were in need of a centre. Yann David, Florian Fritz and Gael Fickou had all departed. Romain Ntamack was still learning his trade.
McAllister recommended Ahki, who just happens to be married to the former All Black and Toulouse star’s sister, Kayla – a fullyfledged New Zealand international herself.
The Auckland native, 29, quickly found his feet and has become something of an unsung hero in this star-studded squad, which is eyeing up another Heineken
Champions Cup trophy, beginning with the challenge of Leinster this afternoon.
Cheslin Kolbe may have departed for Toulon, but this team is still littered with game breakers.
The likes of Antoine Dupont, Ntamack and Matthis Lebel are the box office attractions. Ahki is the low-key midfielder. The glue player in this free-wheeling backline.
‘In defence, in attack, he reassures everyone,’ his team-mate Maxime Medard noted last year.
‘For us, it’s a treat to play with him. In addition, he is someone who is great in a group, humble and respectful.’
Toulouse certainly know his value. Ahki is contracted with them until 2024 and he is revelling in this environment.
A hard-running, hard-working, no-nonsense operator, he wears such titles with pride.
‘I am someone who likes to stay in the shadows,’ the former Connacht centre admitted during last season’s double-winning campaign.
‘I believe it comes from the way I was brought up. For my parents and those around me, the priority is to work hard.
‘The recognition that can come from this is just the icing on the cake.’
He already has two Top 14 titles as well as a Champions Cup medal in his back pocket. There will surely be more.
This afternoon, he will face Robbie Henshaw, another former Connacht midfielder who found pastures new at a bigger club.
As Munster discovered last weekend, Ahki is more than a handful, in attack and defence.
In a team full of mavericks, you need a few reliable operators who aren’t afraid of the hard graft.
‘When Pita Ahki is fine, the whole three-quarter line is pretty good,’ his head coach Ugo Mola observed back in 2020. After the gruelling extratime thriller in this venue seven days’ ago, Toulouse will need to summon fresh reserves to keep pace with this rampant Leinster outfit.
Luckily, they have a rock in midfield who relishes the underdog
tag.