9 minute read
Tristan de Chalain Tai Lavea mastering
from South October 2020
by Times Media
TAI L AVEA – mastering disaster
Due to the pandemic, New Zealand’s provincial rugby competition is featuring All Blacks for the first time in many years; however, whether or not the competition will be cut short remains to be seen. And yet, in these uncertain times one thing that’s as close to a sure thing as sport can ever provide is – the Steelers’ new head coach is not playing to lose, as JON RAWLINSON discovered.
The 2020 rugby season has not gone accordingto plan for anyone, nor did the Steelers’ 2019 Mitre 10 Cup campaign. Relegated from the Premiership last year, the squad will have to win the Championship in orderto return to the top echelon ofNew Zealand provincial rugby.
“I saw [relegation] as a positive, a challenge,” new Steelers’ head coach, Tai Lavea, says. “When I saw there was an opportunity to become head coach here I put my hat in the ring. I had coached the Counties Under 19s previously so I had connections here. I didn’t think I’d have a chance so I just tried my luckreally.”
Despite a slow start, alongwith a new CEO (Aaron Lawton), Tai appears set to help ensure his players revive past glories. Alittle help from a few men in black–includingKieran Read –couldn’t hurt either!
“My job is to set up a programme which will lead, hopefully, to longterm success. First and foremost, we need to re-engage with the community, we’re lookingto select [more] local players and rebuild. I’ve inherited 20 players; there are a lot ofgood men [already] in the mix, I want to add to that with the players we’ll contract,” he says.
“There’s a lot ofgroundworkto be done. Winningwill be a by-product ofsettingall that in place. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t coach to lose and I hate losing, but you have to have the right processes in place first.”
Tai is no stranger to helpingteams reverse flaggingfortunes. In 2017, Auckland came close to relegation in the Mitre 10 Cup –only an upset by Bay ofPlenty over Waikato saved Auckland from this fate. The followingseason, he joined Auckland as an assistant to (then) newly-appointed head coach, Alama Ieremia.
“It was a huge step up for me [and] I learned a lot workingwith a coachingteam which [also] included Graham Henry and Filo Tiatia. There had been so much disappointment from the previous season but the players, as well as the coaches, were all hugely motivated to earn the respect ofthe Auckland community.”
Similarly, Tai was instrumental in turninglosingblues into winning runs at college rugby level prior to joiningAuckland.
“I was at Aorere College [Papatoetoe] for about five years. We won the B grade competition and were promoted to 1A. We then played Saint Kents, and beat them,” he recalls.
“Saint Kents’ team manager at the time, Neil Ritchie, approached me and asked ifI would be interested in a position there. When I started, in 2009, the team was the laughing stockofFirst XV rugby; [rebuilding] takes time. By the time I left, in February 2018, we had won the 1A title five times (between 2011 and 2017) and the national title once (2012). I guess you could say we did manage to turn things around.”
While some become coaches after lengthy playingcareers, others learn the trade from the grassroots up.
“I know a lot ofcoaches who’ve had longplayingcareers; they use a lot oftools they developed from their playingdays, but I don’t think I’d been around professional sport longenough to do that,” Tai says. blankcanvas and just had to learn through experience. I probably thought I was a good coach when I first started but I was very green. That said, coachingis all about connectingwith people, which I thinkI am [naturally] good at.”
While Tai’s professional playing career began and ended with Brisbane North, a feeder team for the NRL’s Melbourne Storm, his twin brother, Tasesa, clocked up an impressive on-field career. From the Storm and the Kiwis in rugby league, followed by Auckland, The Blues, Chiefs, Clermont, Sale and Samoa in rugby union, Tasesa played professionally for more than 12 years.
“Honestly, it never bothered me at all,” Tai remarks regardinghis brother’s success. “I was happy for him and I was on my own journey, tryingto figure out what I wanted to do. About the time I finished playing, a friend ofmine, GeoffMoon –who was a well accomplished secondary school coach –helped me into college rugby; it all went from there.”
Tasesa is now followingin his brother’s footsteps, since taking over from Tai as Saint Kents’ First XV coach in 2018.
PUKEKOHE HOME FOR SUPER RUGBY FRANCHISE?
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Super Rugby organisers were lookingto change the structure ofthe competition. One possible amendment, the inclusion ofa Pasifika team, is once again generatingcolumn inches.
“I thinkit would be a bloody good thingfor Pacific Island rugby,” Steelers coach, Tai Lavea, says. “There are so many movingparts [required] to makingsuch an idea happen, but it will be interesting to see how it develops.”
Ifa Pasifika team does comes to pass (in more ways than one!), logic (more or less) dictates where such an organisation would be based –unless New Zealand Rugby (not to mention ratepayers) would be prepared to shell out for yet another major stadium in Auckland, Navigation Homes Stadium appears the only practical option.
“When I read a team like this would be based in South Auckland, I immediately thought ‘it must be here!’,” Tai smiles. “I must say that I haven’t heard anythingformally, but I definitely like that idea!”
COACH ON ‘POACHING’…
There was a time when rugby players represented their communities; times have changed. With the exception of international level, professional sports teams do not solely rely on home-grown talent. Even at school level, this is often the case.
Over recent years, private schools (includingSaint Kentigern College) have been accused ofplayer poaching. However, Tai Lavea asserts there are two sides to this story.
“[Attendinga private school] is a very fortunate position to be in for the families as well as the students. For me, it was tough to adapt –academically and culturally as well as sporting-wise –but it was a fantastic opportunity,” he says.
Although Tai and his twin brother, Tasesa, grew up in South Auckland, they attended Saint Kents on cricket scholarships before switchingtheir focus to rugby. Both went on to make a livingfrom professional sport but the chance to access a level ofeducation most simply can’t afford can provide other, more wide-ranging advantages too.
“Scholarships provide huge opportunities, and not just in sport,” adds Tai. “Youngsters can benefit from the best possible education, so [scholarships] don’t just develop professional sportspeople, they’re about givingyoungpeople strong foundations [from which] to succeed in life.”
NATIONAL GARDENING WEEK GREAT THINGS COME IN YATES’ PACKAGES
Sow what? With so many options to choose from, the answers to this question can vary greatly. However, whichever way we grow, it’s good to know Yates is on hand to help.
Since Yates National GardeningWeek was first held, it has blossomed into quite the annual occasion, with a wealth ofexpert advice on offer to help everyone from those with green thumbs through to those who are all thumbs. Helpingto foster a love ofgardening, National GardeningWeekfocuses on growingstronger communities and closer connections with nature as well as plants. From just a few pots to an extensive garden, everyone can experience the joy ofgardening.
YATES TOP 10 REASONS TO GROW OUR OWN FOOD: • • • Fresh vegetables when you want them Better tasting food as it’s not sitting on shelves or in chillers Vegetables that ripen in the garden may have more nutrients than some • • • store-bought alternatives Children will eat more fruit and vegies if they come from their own garden Encourage children to learn how to garden and grow their own food Minimise environmental impact • • • • Save money Food safety –you’ve grown it… you know where it’s come from! Reduce waste –pick only what you need and share or swap what you Gardening reduces stress and improves physical and mental health don’t
The first Week is register step to reaping the rich rewards on offer through National Gardening to register online via www.yates.co.nz/national-gardening-week/2020; before October 18 and you’ll receive a FREE packet of veggie seeds.
GROWING MINDS...
Nurturing the next generation of young gardeners, Yates has released a new range of seeds. Launched in the lead-up to National Gardening Week (October 19-26) these seeds are designed to encourage budding gardeners to pitch in in spring. The range features:
Yummy UFOs –Alien Scallopini Zucchini: intended to tempt even the most reluctant vegetable eater, these tasty ‘alien critters’ are shaped like UFOs. Yummy UFOs have been sighted in gardens all over New Zealand! Pop Star Strawberry Popcorn: an old-fashioned type ofcorn that grows cute little cobs shaped like rubyred strawberries. When dried, the kernels are ideal for popcorn. Dinosaur Gourds Prehistoric Monster Mix: crazy gourds in the weirdest dinosaur shapes. Grow a bunch ofand let the dinosaur battles begin! Magical Creatures –Fairy Flower Mix: find a special place to sprinkle these seeds like magical fairy dust and grow a pretty blend ofpixie flowers. Honeybees and butterflies will love them too. Little Ted Fluffy Sunflowers: these bushy, shortgrowingsunflowers have fluffy pompom flowers that are perfect for pots. Behemoth Giant Pumpkins: these seeds grow colossal pumpkins up to 200kgin weight. These seeds are available from garden centres nationwide.
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