Hard graft paying off for Kieron Fonotia [The Press]
TAKING HIS CHANCES: Kieron Fonotia barges over to score in the tackle of Schalk Burger on a dream debut for the Crusaders earlier this season.
Kieron Fonotia knows about grafting in the real world.
While many of his contemporaries were being accepted by rugby academies, and later mulling Super Rugby contracts and being promoted into the All Blacks, the New Brighton tradie was playing club footy and working as a tiler.
Then things changed - rapidly.
Although a member of the wider training group, Fonotia, 26, was shoulder-tapped by Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder in early March and told he would be on the bench against the Stormers at AMI Stadium.
Fonotia made a dream debut: the replacement midfielder scored with his first touch of the ball in the 70th minute and the Crusaders held on to win 14-13. Later, against the Lions, he got his first start at centre.
Hamstring issues interrupted his season and the return of Dan Carter, who again starts at second five-eighth against the Highlanders at AMI Stadium tomorrow night, resulted in him moving to the unfamiliar right wing against the Blues last weekend.
Now the Crusaders, already guaranteed a place in the playoffs, are attempting to lock down a home semifinal and Fonotia will make his eighth appearance of the season.
''Just getting there now it makes you appreciate it so much more,'' Fonotia, who plays for Tasman as a centre, reflected on his starting role.
''I used to do tiling and stuff and now I am out there doing the sport I love and getting paid for it.
''It's something I have had to work really hard for, and you find it hard not being in those academies when you are growing up. And finding those hours to train with work, as well. But if you put in the hard work you get there one day.''
The shift to the wing hasn't caught him completely by surprise.
In the pre-season the coaches urged him to diversify his portfolio by keeping an open mind about playing there even though Johnny McNicholl, Nafi Tuitavake and Rob Thompson were used before him.
Fonotia made a decent job of his duties against the Blues and with a limited background in the position.
''I played 20 minutes on the wing for the Crusaders Knights and then, maybe [back in the] fifth form. When I was at Shirley Boys' I played a bit on the wing and at fullback - when I was a bit smaller.''
These days Fonotia is listed at 108kg. His bulk allows him to carry with the ball with plenty of power and not be intimidated by big outside backs.
Talking in defence, and plenty of it, proved to be an important part of the Crusaders' success as they overcame the Blues 21-13.
For Fonotia that meant he had to keep chirping to his New Brighton clubmate Ryan Crotty and fullback Israel Dagg.
''It is just connecting to the guys around you. I just have to tell Crotts who I have got and Izzy tells me whether he is on last or I have got my man - so the more they are talking the more confident I am to get up and try and make a shot.''
Apart from team-mates such as Willi Heinz and Corey Flynn asking him to tile their houses, Fonotia doesn't hanker for the nine-to-five life.
''No, mate. A few of the boys have got me doing little jobs here and there, like Heinzie and Flynnie have got me tiling their houses throughout the year but it's all right it keeps me on the tools. It keeps me in check.''
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl.
- The Press
