Prop Ben Tameifuna makes a return to his roots

Hawke's Bay and Chiefs rugby prop Ben Tameifuna has had plenty of harsh accusations thrown his way in recent seasons.

The 2011 world champion under-20 player has copped flak about some of his fancy haircuts, his below par fitness levels and his excess weight. However Tameifuna can't be accused of allowing his increasing fame due to his rapid rise up the propping ranks at the Chiefs to go to his head.

"I'm still a typical kid from Flaxmere," Tameifuna said. "I've taken the right path and hopefully some of these kids will be sitting where I am in years to come."

The former Kimi Ora Community School student was pointing to Flaxmere Primary School players who are part of the Flaxmere Rugby Academy Plus programme run by Tameifuna's Magpies teammate Tivaini Fomai through his youth worker role with Purena Koa Rehua Youth Services.

With the Chiefs having a bye this week, Tameifuna was able to return home for the past two days to spend time with the 18-strong squad which includes eight players from his former school and 10 from Flaxmere Primary School.

"You're right ... I have been under the spotlight in recent weeks from the media. But Tom has been looking after me and I'm enjoying it," Tameifuna said, referring to Chiefs assistant coach and former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry.

With injuries to fellow Chiefs props Toby Smith and Ben Afeaki in Super Rugby's first round, Tameifuna has started at tighthead prop for the Chiefs in their last three matches which have been wins against the Blues, Crusaders and Brumbies.

"Everything has come pretty quick," he said. "I've got to keep taking these opportunities with both hands ... the aim is to retain my starting spot, keep the pressure on and keep the other props honest when they return from injury." The 2009 New Zealand Secondary Schools representative rates Brumbies and Wallabies prop Ben Alexander as the toughest he has marked to date.

"There was more pressure from the Brumbies front row than the others," Tameifuna said, referring to last Friday night's 29-22 win in Tauranga. "They saw me as a threat, did their homework and it was a tough battle."

He pointed out the Chiefs coaching staff is happy with his weight of 138.6kgs. "As long as I can play 80 minutes, become more mobile and keep improving in all aspects of play, I'll be happy too.

"My goals this year are to help the Chiefs win the Super Rugby comp and then come home and help the Magpies win the ITM Cup Premiership."

Tameifuna added with a huge grin: "Two titles in one year would be pretty good."

Fomai was thrilled to have Tameifuna's services with the academy this week.

"Ben is an example of what can be achieved if players put in the hard work."

He pointed out the academy's programme runs for 10 weeks and there is potential for it to be run annually.

"It is rugby focused, but it is also a means of educating life skills aimed at encouraging and empowering positive choices," Fomai explained.

"It covers respect, discipline and leadership. There are potential leaders among our squad ... leaders of the school and leaders of the community."

Fomai is tipping several of the squad to make the transition from club and school players to Hastings West Ross Shield players.