Rugby: Harbour look better with Ace in pack

By WYNNE GRAY

The nickname started at birth. Asora Tiatia was born on the same day as his uncle Asora Simanu, a No 8 who toured here with Samoa in 1976.

In his homeland, Simanu had such a powerful rugby reputation he was called Ace. When his nephew shared the same birthday, the moniker was transferred and Ace Tiatia took over.

So far the talented younger brother of first-time All Black Filo, has not produced enough consistent rugby to match his name change. There have been selections for the NZ under-19, NZ Colts, plus Super 12 recognition with the Highlanders, Crusaders and Hurricanes and provincial stints with Otago, Wellington and now North Harbour.

Lots of teams, plenty of talent but nothing substantial in five seasons of first-class rugby.

There have been some rough times, some indiscipline, some headstrong moments Tiatia regrets. But he feels he has changed. He has turned to religion for the past few years, is trying to be a good father to his two boys and is getting married in November.

To complete the conversion he has moved north from his Wellington base to play for Harbour in this year's NPC. It is a shift which the Harbour coaching staff have embraced though it has meant Slade McFarland, the NZA hooker, switching to tighthead prop.

"I just wanted to make a fresh start of it. It was a job opportunity. My rugby employment in Wellington was not going to be there so the only way was to come up here and play."

Tiatia made a strong impression last week against Counties Manukau but there will be much more stringent tests ahead and probably times when he will have to sit on the bench to give McFarland a run at hooker.

"It has been great so far because Slade has been 100 per cent for me. It is hard for him going to prop and there is no doubt he will get time at hooker. But at the moment it really helps me having him there to direct me."

Tiatia laughed at suggestions he might repay the favour and try out at prop. Never, he said. He was simply not powerful enough to try that caper.

"All I have to do is think about doing the right things at hooker. It is all about honouring the union patch. I want to start a legacy of being in a good team. The guys love the patch, the last thing I want to do is tarnish that."

Younger than Filo by five years, Ace tried to be a No 8 for a while like his elder brother and uncle, but realised he was better suited elsewhere.

There was a stint as a student studying exercise science at Otago University but being a rugby player has been his real if unfulfilled occupation.

"I have settled down a bit. Religion has been a big part of my last two and a half years. It is a hard walk and sometimes I fall, but getting back up is the thing."

That should be Harbour's motto tonight as they travel south to face NPC favourites Canterbury.