Vivacious Ah Kuoi does it his way
Be yourself. It’s the simple philosophy Naitoa Ah Kuoi very much subscribes to to live his colourful life.
On the field, the Chiefs lock might be another physical, skilful footy player. Off it, he is a rare rugby species – an effervescent, interviewer’s dream, where cliches are a welcome waste of time.
The 22-year-old gave a great taste of that vivacious personality in a hilarious post-match TV interview with Stan Sport following his side’s 33-30 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Rebels in Melbourne on Sunday.
From his bewilderment at being named their player of the match, to showing off his painted fingernails, to putting on some karaoke, to asking if the company had a job for him in retirement, it was as refreshing as it comes, in a far away land from the dull, lazy drivel that’s usually dished up.
Two days on, with his clip having been circulated, and lauded, on social media, Ah Kuoi was still somewhat wondering what all the fuss is about.
‘‘I honestly thought nothing of it and then people started showing me, I said, ‘Man, I was just yarning, instead of trying to be something I’m not, really’,’’ he told Stuff.
‘‘I was so rattled before it, and then once they asked about my nails, that was when I just lost it, I was just going to be myself.
‘‘There’s a lot of guys who say really good generic answers. For myself, in any environment, I like to back myself and be who I am.
‘‘There’s probably not too many guys who walk around with nail polish on their toes and on their fingers.’’
Yes, toes, too, it turns out, after quite the birthday date with his partner a couple of weeks ago.
‘‘I gave her the present of a pedicure for her birthday, but I wanted to get my toes cleaned, so it was a bit of a win-win
‘‘There’s probably not too many guys who walk around with nail polish on their toes and on their fingers.’’
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
situation,’’ Ah Kuoi revealed of his sneaky plan.
This is a man who has also made a tradition of plastering the word ‘Mum’ on his headgear for every match. For no other reason than being a ‘mumma’s boy’
That started in his days at Wellington College, where he made the first XV as a year 10, played a heap of other sports including water polo, volleyball, handball and Australian rules (captaining the New Zealand under-16 side) and acquired the nickname ‘Machete’ (after cutting his leg with one), which is in use on his Facebook profile.
Having gone through all the regional and national representative teams, an offer at the Hurricanes didn’t work out, but when the Chiefs deal came, the 1.96m, 116kg second rower hasn’t looked back.
Some sort of first Super season it was, too, in 2020, where he got a few games under the belt then became a father, at 20, to twins Reegan and Rylee, during the first lockdown.
The intensive care unit at Waikato Hospital was full so his partner was sent by ambulance to Tauranga. Ah Kuoi drove over the next day, the babies were born, then due to Covid restrictions he had to return home.
‘‘It was a crazy situation,’’ he recalled. ‘‘A lot of guys were asking what it’s like to be a father, but I honestly had no idea because I only met them for four hours and then came back and was bloody playing Fortnite all day.’’
The kids are now two. Dad’s personality?
‘‘My son’s a bit of a sook like me, my daughter, she’s staunch, she’s really the boss of the house, she takes after her mum. So there’s a good mixture.’’
Ah Kuoi, who is signed at the Chiefs till 2023, was last year described by Clayton McMillan as ‘‘a different cat’’ that ‘‘always sees the sunny side of life’’ and noted ‘‘sometimes I wish he’d be a little bit more serious’’. However, the coach has also been a big advocate of a young man staying true to himself.
‘‘Donk’s [McMillan] really good with culture, he’s always harping on about making sure that you are yourself and that you are comfortable with who you are,’’ said Ah Kuoi, who, unsurprisingly, has had no media coaching.
‘‘So he lets me open up and joke when it’s time to joke, and then when it’s time to get serious, I’m serious.’’
So what of his team-mates’ reaction to his TV time?
‘‘They enjoyed it, some of them said I should’ve sung for a little bit longer. I was keen to, but they moved on to other questions, so it was probably good they stopped me because I would’ve sung the whole bloody song.’’