Change of identity but talent is unmistakable

By WYNNE GRAY

When he was at Wesley College in Pukekohe, he was known as Hale Tu'uhoko.

He went by the same name when he played rugby for Otago and then on loan to Southland in last year's NPC.

Over summer he had a name change. He kept the T for Tu'uhoko, which honoured his grandfather, who was a Tongan chief, and added Pole, which matched the surname used by his brothers and sisters.

"I think I originally was Hale T-Pole but when I was young and at school I sort of changed it to Tu'uhoko," he recalled.

There was a similar tale about Zinzan Brooke when he was at primary school, and while T-Pole is not yet in the loose-forward class of Brooke, he has been making an impact in that role for Southland.

He also took a hit last week when another of his rugged loose forward colleagues, Ben Herring of Otago, smacked into him and broke T-Pole's nose.

"It is wobbling round a bit but I reckon it should be okay," he said of his impending appearance against Auckland in Invercargill on Saturday.

T-Pole shifted from South Auckland as soon as he finished at Wesley College.

He and mate Selala Mapusua shifted to Dunedin, where T-Pole studied tourism and Mapusua hit the law books.

Both played for Otago, but T-Pole was never a regular. The glut of loose forwards compelled him to shift further south.

"I needed to get out on the paddock. I got called back for some games last year but this time it is all go," he said.

T-Pole used to teach physical education at Southland Boys High but with provincial coaching commitments during the day, he has swapped that job to be a prep supervisor at the school three nights a week.

"My aim is to pick up a Super 12 contract and I guess if someone asked me about playing for Tonga, I would have to ask a lot of people.

"I am on a New Zealand contract, in the academy and only 23."

He and halfback Jimmy Cowan are likely to start against Auckland after Cowan passed a concussion test.

Auckland have lost Doug Howlett to injury and have replaced prop Soane Tonga'uiha, flanker Sione Lauaki and halfback Steve Devine.

"Steve Devine's ankle has scrubbed up but there is some risk," said coach Wayne Pivac.

"We have two class halfbacks and Dave Gibson gets the chance to start here.

"There could be some bad weather and if that is so, it will be a tight old tussle where ball control is essential, which is why we have a couple of changes in the pack."

Auckland: Carlos Spencer, Mils Muliaina, Eroni Clarke, Ben Atiga, Iliesa Tanivula, Lee Stensness, David Gibson, Xavier Rush (capt), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bradley Mika, Bryce Williams, Kees Meeuws, Keven Mealamu, Nick White.

Reserves: James Christian, Soane Tonga'uiha, Ali Williams, Angus MacDonald, Steve Devine, Sam Tuitupou, Brent Ward.