Rugby: Speedy wing repays coaches' faith in him

By WYNNE GRAY

Proof that Auckland have faith in their young rugby talent arrives in the speedy shape of Mils Muliaina.

The wing proved that he can convert that confidence into points when he backed himself to score against North Harbour, even with several players on an overlap outside him.

"Perhaps I should have passed it - and I would have got hell if I had not scored," he said.

"But I was sure I would, though. Next time I might take the better percentage option."

Muliaina has been getting a bit of stick from his team-mates about his decision, but only in the sort of way rugby players josh those they feel can handle top-level sport.

Muliaina is just 20 and a product of Kelston Boys High first XV. It is a path many gifted young rugby men have followed, although Muliaina attended the school for his last year only.

He was born in Samoa and grew up in Invercargill, where his father worked in the seasonal occupations of the freezing works and oyster industry.

An elder brother went to Kelston and gave the thumbs-up to Auckland, so Mils followed. His rugby skills earned him a place in the national under-19 side, the NZ Sevens team and NZ Colts squad.

Auckland liked the look of him, too, and he sat on the bench as the side went to their NPC triumph late last year.

He continued his rugby education with friends such as Michael Jones, Eroni Clarke and Leo Lafaiali'i.

There were injuries this season, such as a stress fracture in his foot, which took him out of rugby for eight weeks, and a shoulder problem in his return game at the NZ Colts trial.

But the encouragement continued. Wayne Pivac and Grant Fox told the rangy wing there was a place for him in the Auckland squad.

"It was awesome to get on for my first game," he recalled.

"I had been watching these guys on television or from the terraces and now I was playing with them."

Muliaina plays his 11th game for Auckland tomorrow against the dethroned Ranfurly Shield-holders Waikato.

So far, Eden Park and a game against Canterbury was the wing's biggest rugby occasion. Tomorrow may be even greater, with Waikato needing to snap their winning drought against an enormously steady Auckland side to find a top-four place.

Muliaina said: "I have only played at Rugby Park once, in a schools game.

"But I have heard about all the bells and the noise. This will be something else."