Rugby: Starting from the bottom

Clinton Toopi turns out for Bay of Plenty Wasps. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

When Clinton Toopi first pulled on the green and white jersey of Whakatane Marist rugby club, he had to laugh.

"I had on a big, baggy jersey and baggy shorts from the '60s," he says. "I looked like a scrawny boy. I hadn't worn anything like that since I was 18.

"I remember thinking: 'What am I doing? Am I going down the right track?' But I'm glad I stuck at it."

Toopi is contented because last month he was named in the 30-man Bay of Plenty squad for the Air New Zealand Cup. There's a good chance he will see plenty of game time and press his claims for a Super 14 contract.

Toopi is braving the world of rugby union after playing 119 games of rugby league for the Warriors, including the 2002 grand final, and 21 tests for the Kiwis.

At one time, he was considered the world's best rugby league centre, with blinding skills and pace. Now he's one of the best centres in Whakatane.

Toopi won't be the last to switch codes to rugby union but he has done it from humble beginnings. While many start near the top, impatient despite their inexperience, the 29-year-old was happy to start at the bottom, literally - Whakatane Marist are last on the Baywide premier division table.

"It's been a slow start," Toopi says, "and I've worked my way up to where I am now. I wasn't thrown in at the deep end. Starting with Whakatane Marist was like going back to grassroots, and that was an experience in itself.

"I was blown away by the culture in rugby. The after-match function is a big part of it. The spiels, the meal and the haka ... In the NRL you just play your game and go and do your own thing.

"Most of the guys I have come up against have been really good. They haven't tried to take my head off or trample all over me. A lot of them actually ask me during the game if I'm enjoying it. I am. I'm really enjoying it."

Red Conway Park, Whakatane Marist's home ground, is a long way from Headingley where he played his last game of league in 2008. He was released by Leeds last August after a horror run with injuries (two knees and a shoulder), playing only 15 games in the UK Super League.

Although Toopi had played two games of rugby for his brother's team when he was 18 ("after that, he told me to go back to rugby league,"), a switch to rugby union was already on the cards.

"I would have been playing for Leeds rugby union club by now," he says. "It was something I had been thinking about for a couple of years. Leeds rugby league and Leeds rugby union are run by the same CEO and we got on quite well. I was going to play for them."

But that's when the knee gave way. He was released early from his contract and returned to New Zealand to rehabilitate and root around for a new club.

He had some talks with Japanese club side Sanyo Wild Knights and with defending NRL champions Manly but nothing eventuated. Instead, he settled for Whakatane.

"I got a bit of a shock when he turned up," says Whakatane player-coach Steve Mapu. "Then a few of the boys told me his missus is from here. It was awesome, because I was looking for a centre.

"He admitted he's green when it comes to rugby but he's ideal because he comes with no baggage. Toops is a blank canvas and we can mould him how we like. We've done that.

"I think he will make it in the Air New Zealand Cup, especially with good players around him, but I'm not sure if he will pick up a Super 14 contract. Maybe the year after."

Toopi, though, might not be that patient. His age means he's in a race against time to make an impact in his new sport and the money he's earning now - estimated to be between $25,000 and $40,000 - is missing a zero or two from what he used to pocket.

"Super 14 is definitely a goal," he says, "but we will see how it pans out. I will probably give myself a year and if nothing comes from the Super 14, I will look at league or overseas [in Japan or Europe]. I might finish the NPC and not like it. I think I'm 85 per cent there but my first goal is sealing a starting position with the Bay."

He's been picked as a wing for Bay of Plenty, presumably to keep him out of too much trouble and allow him time to bring his kicking game up to the level a centre needs.

He missed Friday's 28-19 defeat to Counties Manukau but scored a try in last weekend's 26-18 pre-season loss to Taranaki.

It's a start. And he even wore a tighter-fitting jumper.