Lester Maulolo: no education like adversity

After the Swindale Shield Lester Maulolo is the leading back in the Best and Fairest standings by six points, the equivalent of two man of the match awards. Surprisingly, the Petone centre was unenthusiastic about rugby before the season, but the reasons were exceptional. 

"I lost my dad to a stroke which was really tough. Rugby was the furthest thing from my mind." Maulolo mourns.
 
"I had an offer to play in Italy for two years and it was worth quite a lot of money. It was tempting to run away, but I decided to stay at home and support my family. I wanted to prove I could make a name for myself in Wellington," Maulolo continues.
 
On Saturday Maulolo scored three times and had a direct hand in a fourth in the Villagers' 43-32 win over the Upper Hutt Rams. He earned a second man of the match award this season and confirmed Petone's place in the Jubilee Cup.
 
"In the first half we weren't feeling it at all. Upper Hutt were almost playing Sevens, really stretching us from side to side. I think [left wing] Jarrod Adams’ try just before halftime changed the game. It got us back into the contest. In the second half our forwards really took it to them and that was awesome.” Maulolo explains. 
 
Switching off mentally has been an issue at Petone for some time, but that habit is becoming less frequent. Last year Petone lost eight games by ten points or less in the first round. This season they won seven games and scored notable victories against Marist St. Pat’s 24-20 and Hutt Old Boys Marist in the McBain Shield 49-31. Maulolo scored tries in both triumphs.
 
“It’s frustrating when we switch off mentally and don’t play the full 80 minutes. I am not sure why it happens but we are getting better at focusing for longer. We have had a lot of injuries which doesn’t help either.” Maulolo theorises.
 
At one stage George Ta’eiloa, Jarrod Hrstich, Marcus Roil, Mesake Vaioleti, James Blackwell, Bruce Kauika-Petersen, James Bowen, Sosaia Tufui, Carlos Price, Piri Paraone, Losi Filipo, Willie Tufui, Jarrod Adams and Aleks Noble-Campbell were all unavailable for selection.
 
Maulolo himself has missed three games in 2017 and battled a long history of injuries.
 
“In 2013 I played for the Wellington U16’s at the Hurricanes tournament in Ruatoria and dislocated my shoulder three times. At first the Physio didn’t realise and being a keen young fella I played on. In the final, the shoulder popped out completely and I had to have surgery.” Maulolo complains.
 
Maulolo spent the whole of 2014 recovering and missed playing First XV as a Year 13 at St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream. His promise wasn’t forgotten and he was quickly signed up to the WRFU Academy and last year was a selection for the Wellington U19s for the National Tournament in Taupo.
 
“The academy has been really good to me especially the medical staff. I am taking things one game at a time, but I feel like I am improving all the time as a person and a rugby player.” Maulolo acclaims.

Delivering on youthful promise was an opportunity nearly squandered by one of Maulolo’s best friends and fellow Petone back Losi Filipo. Filipo’s assault case exploded into a media circus. Six months later Filipo is captain of the Samoa U20s.  
 
“There were some things said and unsaid during that whole thing that annoyed me, but I don’t want to talk about that. Every time I go out on the field with Losi I feel the whole team lifts another 10 percent because he can do things a lot of other players can’t. I just want him to be happy and a success.” Maulolo asserts.
 
Petone hosts Marist St. Pats in Round One of the Jubilee Cup on Saturday.