Popoalii right at home as a Highlander in 2013

Above: Buxton Popoalii on his way to the tryline in his last game for Northern United - the 2010 Jubilee Cup Final at Westpac Stadium

With a Rolls Royce back division, comprising no fewer than five current or former Wellington players, plus a sixth, Tamati Ellison, who is sidelined after having shoulder surgery but still very much part of the set-up, it’s little wonder that big things are predicted for the Highlanders this Super Rugby season.

Their contracted players from Wellington that they can call on over the next five months are Old Boys-University first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga, Oriental-Rongotai second five-eighth Ma’a Nonu, Tawa midfielder Shaun Treeby, Hutt Old Boys Marist wing Hosea Gear and Northern United wing/fullback Buton Popoalii. Additionally, Wainuiomata halfback Frae Wilson is in their Wider Training Group.

Of this group, just Popoalii is starting the season as a contracted player for the first time. Club Rugby caught up with him this week for a chat about his build-up to the season, which starts at home tonight against the Chiefs, some of his new teammates, Tamati Ellison’s current role in the squad and what’s it like playing under the roof at Dunedin’s new Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Popoalii? moved south from Wellington to Dunedin at the start of 2011. He’s not new to Super Rugby, having ?played nine games last season for the Highlanders last year, debuting against the Chiefs in the very first round after being called up as an injury replacement from the Wider Training? Group.

Nevertheless, he explained that being involved in the team right from the get-go has helped him better prepare mentally and physically for the demands of the long season ahead.

His enthusiasm down the phone was as infectious as the positive style of rugby he plays, adding: “It’s been awesome to start to the season off as a contracted player, the boys have been training hard and we’ve just spent a week in Wanaka which has been good preparation for us, so we’re all ready to start the season at home against the Chiefs.”

Blessed with a sweet sidestep, blistering pace and vision and a more than competent kicking game he could shine this year as part of a strong Highlanders team that also has a steely look about it in the forwards with the likes of Tony Woodcock and Brad Thorn on board. He’s been selected on the bench for the Highlanders’ season opener against the Chiefs tonight and will no doubt be earmarked to come on and add extra zip and energy late in the match, particularly if its close.

Popoalii is a former star of Northern United, the Wellington Lions and the All Black Sevens. For the past two seasons he’s been one of the first players picked in the Otago Razorbacks’ ITM Cup side.

He said that he’s looking forward to linking up with the Highlanders dynamic backs when given the chance.

“I can’t wait for the opportunity to play with Skux [Ma’a Nonu] again. There’s other guys who can play in the midfield with him like Ben Smith, Phil Burleigh,? Shaun Treeby and Jason Emery so it’s shaping up good for the guys on the outside.”

Losing his former Northern United teammate Tamati Ellison for most of the season has been a blow, but Popoalii said he is still playing a big off field role.

“Tams is still very much involved, he’s looking after all the rehab guys as well. Also the tactical stuff,? normally the boys go to him for advice so he’s helping a lot.”

So what’s it like playing under the roof at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium?

“It’s great to play there. There’s no wind, no rain!”

“It’s quite hard to play there at first though, with the conditions the same every time and knowing what to prepare for you’ve almost got to change your game plan when you play there and prepare for a faster game.”

Sounds like the perfect venue for outside backs Popoalii, Hosea Gear, Kade Poki and Ben Smith to cut loose in.

What about the atmosphere?

“Its massive, because the stands are so close to the field it makes the crowd more involved in the game than at other stadiums.”

“It’s also really loud and we have to adjust our on-field communications. Instead of calling our moves out to each other we have to signal them so that’s one big difference playing there.”

Popoalii said he still loves playing in and being involved in grassroots rugby when he can. He’s affiliated with the Green Island club in Dunedin and he played three club games for them last year.

He said he’s got fond memories of his three seasons playing for Norths in Wellington’s competition. In 2010 he broke the Wellington club rugby season record, his 23 tries in 19 games eclipsing the 21 by then team-mate and now Hurricanes wing Alapati Leiua the previous year.

“I still stay in touch with the boys at Norths,” he said. “I played at Norths when I was a young boy and again I when left school, so when I get the chance to see the boys play when I go back home I’m there.”

Going back further to 2007 when he was a star of Wellington College, scoring 22 tries and 280 points, he said winning the Quadrangular and being part of the team that beat Christ’s College 46-10 and a strong Nelson College College 18-10 was a highlight.

This team also featured his Highlanders teammate Lima Sopoaga, Otago teammate TJ Ioane, current Super Rugby players Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Reg Goodes and Solomona Sakalia, former Wellington and Tasman pivot Hayden Cripps and former Wellington Firebirds wicket-keeper Joe Austin-Smellie.

All the while Popoalii’s been pretty handy at Sevens rugby as well. One of his first acts in an Otago Jersey in early 2011 was to play a leading role at the National Sevens at Queenstown and earn a recall to the New Zealand Sevens team. In 2012 he was awarded Player of the Tournament at the same tournament.

Of course, for now, he said any thoughts of returning to Sevens rugby are on the backburner as he pours all his efforts into helping the Highlanders in the Super Rugby competition.

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Super Rugby games this weekend (New Zealand teams):

Friday, 7.35 pm: Highlanders v Chiefs in Dunedin

Saturday, 7.35 pm: Hurricanes v Blues in Wellington

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