Tasman Makos: News

Ex Mako flies with Eagles
14-May-2010

Wayne Martin - NELSON MAIL
While most Nelsonians are looking forward to watching a Rugby World Cup game at Trafalgar Park next year, one local man is preparing to play in one.

Junior Sifa, 27, is a former Nelson Bays and Tasman Makos player and was part of the United States Eagles' successful cup qualifying campaign last year. He is now aiming to line up for the Americans when they play Italy in Nelson.

"It's pretty much the goal at the moment. The Churchill Cup team gets announced within the next month, so that's the first goal, then to push on and, hopefully, make the team again in 2011," he said.

Sifa qualifies for the US team because he was born in American Samoa. His family moved to New Zealand when he was nine. He was also eligible for the All Blacks and Samoa.

He arrived back in Nelson last week after finishing his commitments with his Irish club team last month, and is hoping that the paperwork will be completed in time for him to line up for his former club, Waimea Old Boys, in Saturday's senior club game against Stoke.

"It's been good training with the boys again, but there are a lot of new faces. I used to play with our coaches – shows how old I am," he said.

But the length of the powerful midfielder's stay depends on the Eagles. If he is selected for the Churchill Cup squad, he will be available for only two or three games; if not, maybe for the rest of the season.

Sifa said his priority was to get game time and find a bigger team.

"I cracked my cheekbone recently, so I'm on the comeback from that. I need game time and I need to get fit. My agent is hopefully finding a new club for me as well. There are some talented midfielders coming through the American system, so I need to be playing as high a level of rugby as I can."

The US qualified for the world cup by beating Uruguay in a home and away tie last November. Sifa scored his first try for the team in the return leg in Florida.

"It's really good being a part of the team. To start with, I felt a little out of place, but now I'm pretty comfortable, and hopefully I'll be able to prove that I deserve to be there."

The US play Italy on September 27, 2011, and Sifa hopes he will get plenty of support if he makes the field. "Hopefully, if I'm out there, heaps of my mates and family will be able to cheer us on. It will be like a home game for me, same changing rooms and all."

Waimea Old Boys host Stoke at Jubilee Park on Saturday.