Akuila Alatini: Loyal to the bone

Hardham Cup | 10 June 2016 | Club Rugby

Loyalty is something that is becoming harder and harder to find these days around Wellington Club Rugby and when Avalon rugby club went through a tough period some of its better players moved on. But not Akuila Alatini. 

 

Despite numerous offers to change clubs during Avalon's tougher times from 2011-2014 Alatini has stayed loyal to Avalon. This weekend he is rewarded by playing his 100th Premier game when Avalon take on Hutt Old Boys Marist at home at Fraser Park in round one of the Hardham Cup. Although this is his 100th Premier game it doesn't count the couple of years when Avalon's top team was playing senior first so in fact he would've played some 130 games for the club.

 

It's been over 10 years now since Alatini made his first appearance for Avalon in 2006, his first start in the Jubilee Cub saw him playing alongside other members of the Avalon 100 club in Jason Goble and Errol Weston and current team mate Cameron Cross. It's this type of loyalty that holds clubs together and for Avalon Alatini had been the supporting beam that has helped return them back to premier rugby at the end of 2014.

 

Father of three, Alatini can often be found around the rugby fields of Avalon and not just his own games but alongside his wife Johanna supporting their two sons that both play junior rugby at the club. With a striking resemblance to there father Avalon rugby could be in good hands if they decide to follow in there fathers footsteps.

 

A Proud Tongan who has represented the Wellington Tongan team and recently been part of the Suburbs team as part of the Festival of Rugby Representative season, rugby talent definitely runs in the family and Akuila is cousin of well know former All Black and Hurricane Pita Alatini.

 

What makes this milestone so special is the commitments that he has shown to achieve this goal, an employee at the Epuni Boys Home when night work is an easy excuse for players to give up the game, he has continued to make all trainings and be there week in and week out wearing his beloved Maroon and Blue despite sometimes only getting minimal sleep after shifts yet he still puts out quality performances that inspire those around him and have helped Avalon return to premier rugby and seen them have some major wins in 2016.

 

The club wishes his family and the Avalon Rugby Club all the best in celebrating a special milestone for a truely loyal player.