Heineken Cup: Edinburgh’s Netani Talei sowed the seeds of success

Fijian No 8 reveals he was close to quitting Edinburgh but is now glad he kept faith

IT IS as well that Edinburgh’s Fijian powerhouse Netani Talei wears his belief on his sleeve, or tattooed on his arm to be more precise as, without it, he might not have been part of this weekend’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Ulster in Dublin at all.

The 29-year-old was signed nearly two years ago from Worcester in a bid to bring a new strength to Edinburgh’s skilful but lightweight pack, but found himself out in the cold a year ago. He considered quitting Scottish rugby and moving on but, unsurprisingly, as he prepares to face the Ulster back row in a hugely attractive game within a game tomorrow, he is glad that he changed his mind and stayed put. This is what he signed up for.

“At the time I came to Scotland,” he said, “I was looking to experience a new kind of rugby, and a new community, but also some success.

“The Magners League used to be overlooked by the English and French clubs that I knew but I was intrigued by it. I watched the way the teams and always felt that playing like they did could help my game.

“I now believe that I am a better player because I came to Edinburgh, but it has taken time. Last season was difficult. Rob [Moffat, former head coach] was trying to play all three sevens [openside flankers], obviously because he believed they suited his style more than I did.

“But it was really hard. I went from negative to negative to negative. I would be selected for one game and dropped for the next. I had to try and keep focused, and put the negative thoughts to the side, but it wasn’t always easy.”

Talei was suspended internally for a training incident, which was perhaps the result of the negativity he felt at the time, but it is not something he wishes to talk about now.

“It was not a good time. I spoke to my agent after that and said I need to find a new club because I could see the plan for playing three sevens, good sevens who were contracted for this season also, but I couldn’t see a place for me. We looked at a few options to leave.

“But then there was a change of coach and I had the World Cup to look forward to, where I became the Fiji captain. That changed everything because then you put your own thoughts to the side.

“I finished the season thinking only about the World Cup and thinking maybe there would be a different outlook with a new coach at Edinburgh.

“I thought I would see what we could achieve with Fiji in New Zealand, and see if that refreshed me and gave me my confidence back. Fiji did not actually play very well and it was not a good World Cup for us, but actually I came back to Edinburgh feeling better about myself, and determined to make a big effort again.”

Still, even with that new coach, Michael Bradley, who wanted to bring more directness to Edinburgh’s play, it was not plain sailing with Talei starting the first game back after the World Cup but then being dropped for the next two.

“I did think ‘oh no, am I back to square one?’ but I’m not really a negative person, and I have friends and family who have always supported me. They told me to keep going, and I thank them for that support.”

With his estranged wife in Fiji with his children and wider family that reassurance came long distance. Skype became a close friend. As Talei was pushing for an opportunity, the media were raving about a new face, 21-year-old Stuart McInally, a No 8 with the strength and skills recent Scottish packs have lacked.

Talei sat and watched, wondered, and waited. McInally was Man of the Match in the opening Heineken Cup win at London Irish and Talei was not even in the squad. The Fijian was handed the No 6 jersey against Racing Metro and scored a try to spark a famous comeback but watched the next game away to Cardiff from afar. But after watching his side badly beaten up front and McInally get injured, Bradley called on Talei.

The Fijian put Edinburgh back on the front foot with his blend of skill and power, and won Man of the Match honours in each of Edinburgh’s remaining three pool wins over Cardiff and London Irish at home, and away to Racing, with key tries in the last two games.

“It was a chance I had waited for to show what I could do and I enjoyed those games,” he said, with a hint of understatement. “We have some amazing players at Edinburgh and Stuart is very talented. But we all want to, we all need, to play. I come from a very strong Christian background and I believe God has plans for everyone. You have highs and lows and go through rough patches but, if you work hard, you will get your rewards.”

He looks at the tattoos on his right arm, which read “Reap what you sow” and “Faith”, sentiments instilled by the grandmother who raised him, and then looks ahead to the prospect of punching holes in the Ulster underbelly tomorrow and giving Edinburgh hope.

“They help me, and now I look at where we are, and the effort all the guys, not just me, have put in and we have to believe that we are reaping what we have sown.

“We deserve to be in the Heineken Cup semi-finals and we believe that we have the ability as a squad to beat Ulster this weekend and to reach the final. It is a big challenge, but a great challenge and this will be the biggest game in the lives of all of our players.

“Now we have to work hard again and show everyone that we deserve to win.”