Orene says sayonara to Japan and Ai’i to Taniwha
PROVINCIAL rugby has increasingly been a young man’s game but Northland have been able to recruit two veteran players that should stand them in good stead for the new season.
Former Blues playmaker Orene Ai’i and ex-crusader Tone Kopelani have both signed up to the Taniwha.
Kopelani, comes to Northland from French side Grenoble, while Ai’i recently finished up with Toyota, having previously played for glamour club Toulon.
Ai’i, who was overseas for seven years, has been back in the country for a month and has moved to Whangarei, where he plays for the Kamo club.
He says the reason why he left Toyota was because of another big name New Zealander who’s joined up with them.
‘‘Toyota signed Jerome Kaino and they were looking to bring up a couple of Japanese first-fives,’’ Ai’i told Sunday News.
‘‘I didn’t get renewed, so my wife and I thought about coming back and getting the kids into the New Zealand system.
‘‘I was chatting on the phone to Tone one day and he said he was coming to Northland. I asked him to sound them out and see if they were looking for a first-five/fullback and they were keen.’’
Ai’i is also working as a rugby development officer in Whangarei, looking after the junior teams but will be going fulltime as a player again at the end of next month.
Although he is just signed to Northland for one year, the 32-yearold says he could be tempted to do another season if this one works out.
‘‘I’m enjoyingmytime here and if things are going well through the campaign I’ll look at re-signing,’’ he said, ‘‘I’m also looking at doing my coaching papers while I’m here.’’
Ai’i came though as a player when Carlos Spencer was still at his peak and they’re similar in that they’re both No 10s who like to attack and have that X-factor about them.
The last time the Blues tasted success was in 2003 when Ai’i got to play in most of their games and even though he’s been away a long time, he still has strong links with the Blues and like everyone, is feeling their pain.
‘‘I feel for the boys,’’ he said. ‘‘Obviously, they’re trying hard but things just haven’t been going their way.
‘‘It is frustrating watching it as a Blues supporter and having so many mates in the team.
‘‘I hope they turn it around, it’s hard to watch but only the boys in the camp know what they’re going through.
‘‘I’m sure they’re doing their best to turn things around but it’s just not clicking.’’