Tawa’s Tolu Fahamokioa pleased with NZ Provincial Barbarians match

Above: Tolu Fahamokioa (right) with Jonah Lowe after the recent New Zealand Provincial Barbarians match against the British and Irish Lions in Whangarei.

 When Tolu Fahamokioa moved to New Zealand from Tonga in 1999 he was asked by his first rugby coach what position he played. “Lomu,” Fahamokioa recalls, replying with a chuckle.

“I started on the wing and was pretty quick over the first 10-metres, but it’s been downhill ever since,” the prop forward continued.

Fahamokioa might have a lower jersey number on his back these days, but the former Wellington Lion has enjoyed the best 12 months of his career.

A regular starter for Hawke’s Bay, Fahamokioa was recently involved in the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians narrow defeat to the British and Irish Lions in their tour opener in Whangarei. .

“The scoreline was a surprise, but we were determined to give a good showing. We mixed things up a lot, which unsettled them. I think we showed the best values of Barbarians rugby, which is about expression and friendship.” Fahamokioa reflects.

Fahamokioa wasn’t fazed by the Lions’ formidable reputation in the front row.

“They were big, strong boys, but we went in with a mentally they weren’t going to bully us. I think they have struggled to match the skill of the Kiwi front rowers. We are expected to be able to run and offload now.”

Fahamokioa is hoping to bring the Barbarians no-nonsense attitude to Tawa’s Jubilee Cup defence which started with a 19-8 loss to Wainuiomata in the first round on Saturday.

“The thing is we know when we play 80 minutes we can beat anyone, but we switched off too often on the weekend and Wainui fed off our mistakes,” Fahamokioa asserts.

Tawa dropped their first three games last year, but Fahamokioa is not willing to tempt fate in 2017.
“I think this is one of the closest Jubilee Cups I have played in. Any one of the eight teams could win it, there is really very little between each side. Every game counts.”

Fahamokioa was a part of the Tawa team which won 16 out of 20 games and completed the Swindle/Jubilee double in 2013. At Wellington College he was a member of a First XV in 2008 and 2009 which won two Wellington titles and 39 out of 46 games. Fahamokioa identifies building depth within a squad as a key ingredient for success.

“I got my chance at Wellington College when Jeff Toomaga-Allen was injured before the St. Pats Town traditional. It’s been a challenging year at Tawa with a lot of injuries, but we have a lot of youngsters who have stepped up.” Fahamokioa explains.

One youngster, now in his second season, continuing to impress is Fahamokioa’s cousin Sitiveni Paongo. The 2016 Wellington Under-19 representative must be regarded as a Wellington Lions contender.

“He is hungrier than I was at his age. I am just trying to guide him in the right direction which is not too difficult, because he is really motivated and talented. Fahamokioa acclaims.

This Saturday Tawa clashes with Norths in Round 2 of the Jubilee Cup at home at Lyndhurst Park. Tawa won the Swindale Shield meeting 24-17 for the Sammy Saili Memorial Shield and face a Norths side smarting from a 36-10 defeat to Old Boys University.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the scales, the Tawa Titans host the Wellington Light Axemen at Redwood Park at 2.45pm in the decider for the U85kg first round JC Bowl title.