Rugby: Modest Blues loosie is a man of many talents

Viliame Ma'afu, who played for the Blues against the Crusaders at the weekend, has ambitions to play for Tonga in the World Cup next year. Photo / Getty Images

Viliame Ma'afu is already a triple sporting international. Not that he'd tell you about that rare distinction.

The Blues looseforward is too modest to talk about those talents which allowed him to represent Tonga at tennis, golf and sevens.

But it was the last selection which has affected his rise through the New Zealand rugby ranks. Playing for Tonga at sevens meant he was ineligible for New Zealand and therefore an unfavoured choice for the All Black grooming nursery in the Super 14.

But some consistent quality work for North Harbour meant Ma'afu demanded his inclusion in a misfiring Blues squad where he was pitched into the looseforward brigade with other No 8 candidates Chris Lowrey, Peter Saili and Jerome Kaino.

It has been a gradual rise for the quiet Ma'afu, who turns 28 today. Players such as Nick Williams at Harbour have blocked his selection at provincial and Super rugby level.

But in the past couple of years Ma'afu has shone. Last season's standout work as Harbour's player of the year promoted him into the Blues.

"It is very exciting, I did not know what to expect and I thought it would be hard to come into this environment, but they have all been good to me," Ma'afu said.

The Massey club man played sevens with the Pisi and Tuitavake brothers without making the same headway in the XV-a-side game. Now he is getting coaching lessons from former international looseforwards Pat Lam and Liam Barry.

He has played twice this year, though he came off late in the loss to the Crusaders with a corked leg. That injury is healing and with the Blues on a bye this week Ma'afu will be primed for a selection duel for the next game against the Brumbies. There he could face one of his heroes: George Smith.

"His mother was Tongan and George is one of my favourite players. He is not that big, but he never gets injured, he never seems to tire, he is never puffing, he is a freak."

Push Ma'afu to look beyond this season and he admits he would love to play for Tonga in the World Cup.

"Imagine that, playing in the first game against the All Blacks. Making that tournament would be my ultimate goal - I'd love to be involved."

That will be over to former All Black No 8 Isitolo Maka, who is the island nation's latest coach, and the form of others such as his brother Finau Maka, Hale T Pole and Nili Latu.

The 107kg Ma'afu shifts uneasily on his pins, looking around as if time is up. He is uncomfortable talking about himself, let alone looking as far ahead as the next World Cup. He would rather let his deeds talk for him.

Chiefs prop Sona Taumalolo yesterday escaped punishment at the judiciary for his dangerous tackle on Quade Cooper, of the Reds, during Friday's 18-23 loss in Hamilton.

Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan returned to New Zealand yesterday after dislocating a finger during his team's 0-33 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.