Faifili Levave: home grown talent making it big

Faifili Levave bursting forth for Norths against Wainuiomata in 2011

Faifili Levave is just one of the many success stories to come out of the Northern United club; a club he has much love for and gratitude for.

He began his rugby days at the junior club, the Norths Bulldogs, and fell into this great game by chance.

"I stumbled across rugby, my cousin begged my mum to take me along to sign- up day. I started at under 9's and always played up a grade because I was too big" Levave laughed.

From there, the colossal loosie was educated at St Patrick's College, Wellington, where his true talents began to flourish at the proud rugby college in Kilbirnie. Levave managed to start his 1^st XV career in the fifth form which for many at the time would have seen a bright career ahead of him.

"My fifth form year was my most enjoyable year. The culture at St Pat's was very enjoyable. Back then I had a good balance of schooling and rugby and I made a lot of good college friends through rugby in particular."

Levave went on to make the NZ secondary school's team in 2003 which came as somewhat of a surprise as he knew the great talent in the loose forwards scattered around the country and knew he was up against it.

"Yeah it was really unexpected; I knew I was up against a good loose trio with the likes of Kieran Read. I worked hard to make the team and when I was named it was quite overwhelming."

Faifili then returned back to his home club of Norths after his college rugby and struck success again in his first season at the young age of 19, winning the Jubilee Cup for the first time and going on to make his debut for the Wellington Lions. ?

A couple of injuries layoffs aside - he missed much of 2006 and again in 2009 - His professional career took off from there and he's now a key member of the Hurricanes and starts at No. 8 against the Force this Friday night at Westpac Stadium.

He savours the limited time he gets to return and don the blue and white jersey.

"These days they put reigns on players playing club rugby but any chance I can get to play I take it."

It is common knowledge that Norths has been an extremely strong club and has produced some of the country's finest. Levave did not hesitate in stating that it is very much a family club that nurtures their players from a young age.

"I put it down to the family base that they have there. It's not only the players that belong to the club it your parents, uncles and aunties as well."

He recently took some time away in Japan, taking up an offer with the Honda Heat side where he was faced with a complete culture change which brought about obstacles on and off the field

"It was an experience in itself, on and off the field.

"The rugby was quite hard in terms of the language barrier.

"I enjoyed it a lot and definitely see myself going overseas again and experiencing what other rugby and lifestyles are like."

The game is always changes and adapting and Faifili has had to adjust to these changes over the past decade.

"I feel for myself I've become a lot more aware of spatial awareness in how I watch and read the game and just how I position myself. I've become a lot fitter than when I first started as well."

Role-models often shape one's career and Levave does not have a shortage of those. He looks to use all the resources around him for knowledge and support with his game.

"I lived with Mils Muliaina and I learnt a lot from him about how to analyse a game, also Sione Lauaki from my time away and my cousin Neemia Tialata so I've had a lot of great support and also my teachers."

Spoken like any great son he owes everything to his parents for the work they put into producing such an impressive sporting family.

"I'd give my arm and my leg for my parents they bend over backwards for me. If it wasn't for them getting me to my games on the weekend them working long shifts to be able to transport me I don't know where I would be right now."

His siblings are also nationally and internationally known for their sporting accolades one of which, George, received a scholarship for American Football in Idaho.

"George was quite talented in his day; he played NZ age grade basketball then got scouted for Football at Idaho State University. My little sister is a trialist for the Black Ferns [Sanita, she plays for Norths and the Wellington Pride] so I'm hopeful she'll make the next world cup squad. Mum and Dad played a lot of sport as well so we are definitely a sporty family."

The bulldozing loosie was likened to former Chiefs hard man, Sione Lauaki. Levave got his nickname ‘lil wax' from his time with the Chiefs in the 2008 season.

"Lauaki's name was wax and when I was drafted to the Chiefs they couldn't separate us in appearance but obviously I'm a lot prettier so I became lil wax."

As far as the Hurricanes season is going Levave is positive about where they are heading and enjoys the competitive nature surrounding the loose trio which bodes the likes of Karl Lowe, Victor Vito and rising stars Ardie Savea and Brad Shields.

"All the loosies here have a good relationship. We all know if we don't perform somebody else will step in. Victor is obviously injured so I'm making the most of any time I get but I'm pretty happy with how the season is going as a team."

Faifili Levave is making a real impact on the Super Rugby season and is a pivotal member of the Hurricanes team. He brings much more than just his physicality to a game. For much of his career he has been severely underrated but is always an important member of any team he has been part of.

First XV success, NZ Secondary Schools, Jubilee Cup success... everything this man touches has turned to gold, perhaps it is now time for a super rugby title to boot.