Lifestyle choice sees Viljoen condemned to battler role

The promise of a superior lifestyle for his little boy has drawn Joggie Viljoen to rugby's struggle street.

The former South African halfback has returned for a second playing stint in New Zealand - and with wife Simone and two-year-old Jordan in tow this time, the move is intended to be permanent.

"I'm here lock, stock and barrel at this stage," said Viljoen, Manawatu's major signing for the Air New Zealand Cup.

"I sold everything up back home, I've bought a house and settled down here (in Palmerston North) nicely."

"I've signed for three years and I'm trying my best to stay here for good now. It's not a 1-2 year deal and then go back."

Viljoen, who turned 30 last week, said like any number of South African immigrants the move from the high veldt to Palmerston North was lifestyle related.

"It's one of the big reasons I came here, it's all about Jordan at this stage, to try and get a better life and future for him," Viljoen said.

The trade off is Viljoen's life is going to be difficult and the future does not appear particularly bright - on the field at least - for Manawatu's prized asset.

Viljoen, who played for Northland in 1999 before making the Hurricanes Super 12 squad in 2000, at least arrived in February under no illusions about the task confronting him.

"Considering what's happened in the last 18 years (since Manawatu lost first division status) there's not a very good vibe here.

"People are getting behind us, they're giving us an opportunity to do our best, but there's quite a bit of negative talk.

"We know we're rock bottom and can only go up," he said of Manawatu's chances in the new 14-team domestic competition.

"It's a steep learning curve for us. We're not going to win championships, we just need to get experience in the big league."

An uncomfortable experience looms at Arena Manawatu on Saturday afternoon when Auckland, winners of the last NPC, will ensure there is no fairytale return to the top flight.

Manawatu then have a bye to regroup before heading south to take on fellow newcomer Tasman, a match they will be target as more than an exercise in damage limitation.

Viljoen was unconcerned, publicly at least, at the prospect of being at the wrong end of a backpedalling pack - and some escalating scorelines.

"We have a three year plan, it won't happen overnight," said Viljoen, who compared his predicament to the one he faced when arriving in Whangarei.

"Honestly, I was in the same situation when I was playing for Northland, and anything can happen on the day .... we beat Wellington home and away during my time."

Viljoen played for the Taniwha's in 1999 and 2000 before he returned home to Cape Town to represent the Stormers, Bulls and latterly the Falcons in South Africa's Currie Cup.

A s a raw 21-year-old he toured Argentina, Wales and France in 1997 - his only experience with the Springboks .

He has two South Africans for company in Palmerston North - former Falcons wing Leon Lubbe and No.8 Bertus Mulder. Not that he expects to feel homesick.

Meanwhile, Manawatu's propping stocks have been enhanced by the arrival of former Western Force prop David Te Moana and Mike Rowe, a former Cantabrian who has been playing in Western Australia.

Opotiki-born Te Moana was released by the Force after making six Super 14 appearances and arrived in Palmerston North on Monday, his belated arrival likely to leave him out of calculations for round one.

- NZPA