Rugby: Openside hungry for chance to make mark

Serge Lilo had a pedigree for rugby right from the start, in 1985. When it came to signing off his birth certificate, his father's fondness for the slinky running skills of legendary French fullback Serge Blanco, held sway.

Blanco was a star of in the 1984 French tour and the legacy of the name 'Serge' has been somewhat continued with the flanker of Samoan heritage who is joining the Blues, his third Super 14 franchise.

The 24-year-old openside has been on the provincial scene five seasons after debuting for the Lions in 2005, following stints at national level in the under-19s and under-21s. However, injury means he's missed crucial periods like the whole 2008 Super 14 through a ruptured medial ligament in his right knee.

He never cemented a spot with the Hurricanes, behind Scott Waldrom and Karl Lowe, nor at the Chiefs - where he deputised for Tanerau Latimer last year. The Chiefs' Ian Foster has brought in Bay of Plenty's Luke Braid for that role this year.

Lilo says it's coming to a point where he needs the game time to prove he's capable of being an All Black, otherwise it'll eventually mean packing his bags for northern climes.

"I've got to weigh it up, if I have a good Super 14 season and get picked for the Junior All Blacks it'd be a chance to stay. My contract [with Wellington] comes up at the end of next year and I've got two kids now so I have to consider them."

Lilo's hunger for more game time is something Blues coach Pat Lam has identified after struggling to fill the openside role last year when Josh Blackie was out with injury.

"A lot of players are good ball carriers but in the openside position we want guys who are pains in the butt, really strong and combative over the breakdown. That's Serge's strength; he can be a nuisance to opposition with his controlled aggression."

Lilo accepts his position comes with a price of being battered around.

"At the end of a game it feels like you've had a car crash but it comes with the territory.

"The game is certainly fast and physical. I just have to work on my skills like tackling, getting to my feet, grabbing the ball on the ground and following it quickly."

Blackie was initially pencilled in again this year but didn't make the draft because of his continuing contract with Kobe in Japan. As a result, Lam consulted Wellington coach Jamie Joseph and Hurricanes mentor Colin Cooper.

"I knew Colin had to make a decision with the loosies he had. Then Jamie said Serge would be one of the first guys picked in his team. He's also well-respected amongst senior players."

It's helped Lilo that fellow Wellingtonians Alby Mathewson and Daniel Kirkpatrick are also joining the Blues.

"When I heard there was a chance I'd go up I thought: 'Nah, I need some support', so it's exciting to go up with some mates and I have been welcomed with open arms."

In fact the three are likely to be living together at a serviced apartment the franchise leases handy to Eden Park under the NZRU's relocation allowance policy.

But back to that name.

"Yeah, I was named after Serge Blanco. My old man was hard out into rugby back then, playing for the Wellington Bs. I mean back in those days naming your son Serge would've been like 'what the ...' but it's ok now."