Variety of pitches brings out talent

By CHRIS RATTUE at the World Cup

Gus Leger has been around the sporting bases, even by the quirky standards of the World Cup.

A tournament that has such a strong representation from rugby outposts - where the game ranks behind all manner of other sports - is bound to cross some strange boundaries.

But 29-year-old Leger, who is set to be named at centre in the Tongan team to face the All Blacks on Friday night, has been on a fair old journey.

Through a mixture of heritage and sporting interests the Counties Manukau back is a tri-nations representative.

Leger, who went to Avondale College, was a New Zealand under-17 rugby representative, playing alongside some famous characters, including Jonah Lomu and Taine Randell. And he represented New Zealand at a world youth softball tournament in Auckland.

It was there that he and future All Black Jeremy Stanley came to the attention of American baseball scouts. While Stanley, who opted instead for medical studies, turned down the California (now Anaheim) Angels, the Tokoroa-born Leger took the plunge.

He played three seasons of rookie baseball before being cut and returning to New Zealand, where he went on two overseas tours with softball's Black Sox.

Now he is playing rugby for Tonga, and early next year will be in the Samoan softball team at the World Series in Christchurch.

"I once shot an 86 in golf," Leger quips, when asked if he has any other sporting tricks up his sleeve.

On a more serious numbers note, the one-time sales rep adds: "Sport's been good to me, but I've been unemployed a few times. I need to get myself a CV and find a job."

Leger never got close to cracking the baseball big time. Only 3 per cent of players make it out of the rookie ranks to the major leagues.

Still, it was an experience not to be missed, and one Leger says that Stanley now regrets not taking.

After brief hitting, throwing and running tests in Auckland, Leger had found himself signed to the Angels almost before he had time to think about it.

He had always intended playing softball in the United States anyway, so it wasn't a case of cutting a promising rugby career.

"Suddenly I found myself sitting in an Arizona motel. I freaked out the first night," he says.

When he returned to New Zealand he even had hopes of a Super 12 contract, but realised any chance of being an All Black had probably passed him by.

"That's why I never really wanted to be an All Black, I realised that's how things had fallen for me. But I wanted to play like the All Blacks," he says.

"It will be a case of mixed emotions for me, playing against them."

The Tongans prepared for their punishing World Cup run by simulating the tournament schedule in training camps.

And while it is clear they have been given the rough end of the stick by having to play four games in 14 days, Leger says they are not seeking sympathy.

He plays down talk of the Tongans going out to illegally smash the All Blacks, saying they have been misquoted.

"With 40 cameras on you, you can't afford to do those things these days," he said.

"Hey, if it was the old days, then what do you think? You don't think those old fellas lost their teeth by eating too much candy.

"In those days you took the tough shots and you were mates afterwards.

"But we will still have a crack," Leger says. "You have got to have belief in yourselves."

And soon after, it will be back to New Zealand, to his wife-to-be Whetuu, daughter Arizona, 8, and son Orbyn, 7.

And a job, maybe. Although then again, there is that World Series softball to prepare for.

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