Luatua eyes ABs return
Steven Luatua wants his All Blacks jersey back.
The 26-year-old has spoken of the emotional tug involved in his shift to the British club scene where he is a key force in Bristol’s drive to return to the English Premiership.
Luatua, battling the highly competitive blindside flankerNo 8 role in New Zealand rugby, signed with Bristol this year despite being in some of the best form of his career.
‘‘Giving up the All Blacks jersey, especially ahead of the Lions tour, was the hardest part,’’ Luatua told the Daily Mail as his role in Bristol’s 13-match unbeaten in the second division was dissected.
‘‘I do have ambitions to play at a World Cup, maybe in 2023.’’
Luatua played 15 tests for the All Blacks from 2013-16 but didn’t feature in the successful 2015 World Cup defence.
His shift north cost him any chances of extending his test career this year. His last game for the Blues was in their 22-16 win over the Lions.
Luatua has been enjoying his first taste of the British scene though appears set to try to be one of the few players to regain their All Blacks jersey.
His Bath deal will take him out of consideration for the 2019 World Cup in Japan but he has a loose eye on the following tournament in France.
For now, it’s all about helping the once-proud Bristol return to their glory days.
Luatua will soon be joined by former Auckland, Blues and All Blacks team-mate Charles Piutau who is shifting from Irish outfit Ulster to link up with his former Kiwi coaching mentor Pat Lam.
Luatua likes Lam’s plans for the Bristol club.
‘‘Pat told me his vision of inspiring a community through rugby success. I wanted to be a part of that. Knowing Pat is here is a big factor for us Polynesian boys. When I was looking to leave New Zealand, Bristol was the best fit,’’ Luatua said.
‘‘When I found Bristol were in the second division, I prepared for the worst. I was expecting to play in front of small crowds on pitches that aren’t taken care of.
‘‘It has been better than I expected. Playing in some of these little towns has been humbling.
‘‘My first away game was at Cornish Pirates. I’d gone from Eden Park to Ashton Gate to a field with no stands and an old school changing room.
‘‘Early on, I would always see a few guys lining me up. I got smoked a couple of times but it’s all legit. It’s not about one player.’’
Lam has huge ambitions for the well-funded Bristol club and wants to make them a force in Europe as well as Britain.
‘‘Can Bristol win the Premiership? Without a doubt,’’ Lam told the Daily Mail.
‘‘People talk about getting promoted and surviving, but that’s the wrong mentality. Our minimum goal is to finish in the top six and qualify for the Champions Cup.
‘‘This club was one of the giants of English rugby in the Seventies and Eighties.
‘‘It’s been sleeping but there’s no reason we can’t become a giant again.’’