KEY POINTS:
Shane Rufer has seen players of all abilities so when he singles out Benjamin Totori as the hottest property in Oceania football you are inclined to bow to his better judgment.
Naturally, with Totori playing in the YoungHeart Manawatu team Rufer coaches, you must balance such enthusiasm with
reality. Not for long.
There is little doubt the 20-year-old Solomon Islander is something special and may well go on to fulfil his ambition of following Oceania stars, and his heroes, Wynton Rufer and Christian Karembeu, in playing professionally in Europe.
"He wants to be a professional footballer. Here at Manawatu we want to help him, and others, fulfil that ambition," said Rufer. "He is technically gifted. Like others from his country, he is very good with the ball but needs to do more without it."
On the ball he is every coach's dream, especially with his goal-grabbing ability.
A clear leader in the NZFC golden boot race - his 10 goals in eight outings double the number scored by perennial golden boot winner Keryn Jordan. It's familiar territory for Totori having twice been the top scorer in the Solomon Islands league.
"It would be awesome to win the golden boot here," said Totori who played senior football in his homeland as a 15-year-old and has represented his country at under-16, 17 and 20 levels. "It would be a great feeling."
But no more than winning. And that's what his Manawatu side are doing.
It's a good setup for Totori with two other players from his homeland in Alek Maemae and Nelson Sale.
"The three of them all have the ability to play professionally but the biggest challenge will be in having to adapt to a new life - on and off the field," said Rufer.
"We have to remember they come from a country in which they have witnessed civil war and other unrest."
Totori admits the unrest was a factor in convincing him to leave the Solomons and head to New Zealand, where he linked with Maemae and Commins Menapi part way through the last NZFC season.
"New Zealand is the best place in the Pacific to learn and get exposure," said the quietly-spoken Totori.
"I am happy to be here and playing with such good players. The biggest difference is that we train like professionals.
"Back home we don't have enough good coaches. The standard of football in New Zealand is much higher. It is also more physical as I found in playing New Zealand teams in age group tournaments.
"I like scoring goals but I'm just as happy to produce goals for my team-mates if I can," said Totori, who has relished the chance to play first under Colin Tuaa and now Rufer.
"There is little difference in their coaching styles.
"They are both great coaches who have a very good understanding of the game."
There is little doubt Totori will quickly step on to the full international stage - probably in June's South Pacific Games in Samoa - after first playing internationally in an under-16 Oceania qualifier in Sydney.
He might have already played for the national side but was out of the country - studying and playing in Fiji - when they last played.
Manawatu chairman Mark Cleaver joins Rufer in acknowledging the contribution Totori and the other Solomon players have made.
"Benjamin has a great sense of humour and has really come out of his shell this season," said Cleaver.
"He, Alek and Nelson all came much earlier this season and that helped them settle from the start.
"Last year they only arrived a day before the first game, this time Shane had them here three or four weeks before the season started."
Cleaver said it also helps that the three share an apartment with other Manawatu players Phil Imray and Ben Feld.
"They lead a pretty simple life. Benjamin doesn't drink and they eat pretty much just chicken and rice," said Cleaver.
"They are definitely part of our team and mix very well with their team-mates. They definitely contribute to the success we have had."
They will have another chance to show those skills in leading the charge for Manawatu in the game of the round against Auckland City at Kiwitea St on Sunday.
