Makos Player Profile - Kieron Fonotia

Name: Kieron Fonotia

Age: 26
Position: Centre
Club: New Brighton,
Makos #: 90
Makos Caps: 36

At what age and at what position did you first play rugby?
I began at age 4. We didn’t have positions but I started playing number 12 when I was 8 years old.

Who was your biggest influence to become a better rugby player?
My step-Dad (Bill Barry) has backed me all the way, through the good and bad.

When did you realise you might be any good at the rugby?
When I was young I was bigger than most of the kids and scored lots of tries. But at high school everyone caught up in size so I had to work hard on my skills.

Who has been your biggest influence on life away from the game?
My mum and again my step-Dad have always been there for me and kept me in line.

Who in the Makos gives you the biggest grief and why?
Probably KK [coach Kieran Keane] when I do something stupid in a game (like no-look passes!). After he rarks me out it’s off to training with my tail between my legs. And Banksy. He copies everything I wear and I’m not sure if he’s taking the mickey or he just looks up to me. Most probably the latter.

Who do you like to give grief to and why?
No one. I’m a pretty nice guy.

Name any player in world rugby who you would most like to be like and why?
Jeff Wilson because I’d be a great rugby player, a good commentator an an epic BYC player.

What is the one thing that people don’t know about you?
I always put my left sock and boot on before my right.