Samoan nails Steamers half chance

His name may leave commentators in a muddle but Junior Poluleuligaga is clear on his expected role in Bay of Plenty rugby this season.
The Manu Samoan test halfback has been unveiled as the Steamers' major pre-season signing and will join the Air New Zealand Cup side after next month's Pacific Nations Cup.
Poluleuligaga is likely to be the starting halfback at this stage, but equally important is his role in grooming young players such as Josh Hall, thanks to some handy recent experience.
"I'm in my late 20s and I've learned a lot in the last couple of years, especially from guys playing in front of me like George Gregan and Andy Gomersall," the 28-year-old said. "I've packed quite a bit into the last couple of years - I've been to a World Cup, played a few test matches and played for clubs in France and England as well - so it would be really great to come here and help the young guys out."
While it's a slap in the face for local club talent like Rangataua's Ruki Tipuna and Tauranga Sports' Kyle O'Brien, new Steamers coach Greg Smith was after some insurance in the position, with Hall still recovering from a broken ankle.
Poluleuligaga - for the record it's pronounced "Polu-lay-ooly-nunga" - has no shortage of Air New Zealand Cup pedigree either. The Auckland-born halfback made his North Harbour debut in 2004 and also had a couple of games for Auckland last year.
He was previously in an intriguing 1999 New Zealand secondary schools team, which featured future All Blacks Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid, Mose Tuialii and Sam Tuitupou, as well as a handful of players who went on to play for Bay of Plenty - Jeff Ierome, Ray Isara, Warren Smith and Jamie Nutbrown.
The 94kg, No 9 tasted Super 14 action for the Blues in 2006 but found his way blocked the next season when he nailed his colours to the Manu Samoan ship for their World Cup campaign. He's since played 12 tests and a couple of matches for the Pacific islanders.
Following the World Cup, he signed with Toulon in France, "got screwed over" by the club's controversial owner, Mourad Boudjellal, and moved to English club Harlequins, making the premiership playoffs last month.
"It's pretty tough in my position because Super 14 teams only pick players eligible for the All Blacks. I was still wanting to get back overseas but nothing came up for me until this. I thought'why not' - I'd watched a few Bay games last year and they did really well."
Meanwhile, O'Brien and Tipuna have been picked in the first Bay squad of the season, as the Bay of Plenty Wasps take on the Harlequins side at the Tauranga Domain next Wednesday.
The Wasps also feature a handful of newly arrived talent, including former Western Force academy player James Dougal, Tauranga Sports prop Lawrence Marsh (ex-Saracens) and former Waikato prop Ted Tauroa.
Whakatane Marist No 8 Simon Kolo'ofai has experience with the Otago Development team, while Te Puke first-five Nick McCashin played for Canterbury B.
Selectors will also get another look at ex-Warriors league player Clinton Toopi, who has been turning out for Whakatane Marist for the last two months.
Wasps squad:
Forwards: Ted Tauroa, James Riddell (Mount Maunganui) Kane Hames, Lawrence Marsh, Marcel Cummings-Toone (Tauranga Sports), John Pareanga (Te Puna), Josh Hohneck, Josh Olsen, Zac Hohneck (Rotoiti), Dean Elmiger (Opotiki), John Moore (Ngongotaha), Josh Katene (Te Teko), Matt Vant Leven (Whakarewarewa), Simon Kolo'afai (Whakatane Marist).
Backs: Kyle O'Brien, Toby Arnold, Steve Honey (Tauranga Sports), Ruki Tipuna, Jason Hona (Rangataua), Steven Wallace, Cory Aporo (Mount Maunganui), Nick McCashin, Alister Brownlee (Te Puke Sports), Kelly Haimona, Hayden Baird, Paula Asaeli, Wayne Hughson (Whakarewarewa), James Dougal (Te Puna), Clinton Toopi (Whakatane Marist).