KEY POINTS:
Roy Kinikinilau is a classic example of less being more.
The big Tongan-born wing often flattered to deceive during his seasons with the Hurricanes and Highlanders, when he made 22 Super rugby appearances, and there were those who wondered what he would contribute to the Chiefs' campaign when
he signed for Waikato last year.
But Kinikinilau has been a revelation on the left wing, his powerful running regularly gaining plenty of ground and creating havoc among defences. Although he's managed only one try himself so far, he has been a key figure in several others.
And with speedy Lelia Masaga on the right wing and improving fullback Dwayne Sweeney, the 27-year-old has been part of an impressive back three for the Chiefs.
So, after persistent problems in the hamstring/groin area which have hampered his effectiveness in the past few seasons, why the sudden turnabout?
Chiefs head trainer Dr Nicholas Gill reckons tightening up Kinikinilau's training regime is the key. He describes the 1.90m, 107kg wing as a thoroughbred and believes his problems in the past are down to too much running.
Put simply, the more running Kinikinilau did, the greater his exposure to injury. So the Chiefs have tailored his training to get the right balance between running and other fitness work.
"We've controlled what he's doing and when he's doing it," Gill said. "If we're having a session and there's a lot of running involved, we might let him do half then let him box or do something not involving his legs too much. You can overdo high-intensity work and if you're running fast too much, you can hurt yourself."
The best way to put it, Gill said, was you wouldn't ask a 100m sprinter to do piles of 400m running. "He's learning. He had an awesome pre-season. We've encouraged him to listen to his body and trust us."
Kinikinilau, who was born on Ha'apai north of Nuku'alofa and came to Wellington when he was about six, is more coy about the change.
"I'm getting a bit more experience and getting help from the coaches, and being injury free helps," he said.
Kinikinilau has played sevens for New Zealand in four years since 2002. Playing for Tonga is out of reach now, which disappoints him a bit "but I don't dwell on it".
Kinikinilau may owe a debt of gratitude to the Waikato coaches, who last year leaned on Chiefs coach Ian Foster to push his case for a Super 14 contract. Warren Gatland, who guided Waikato to the Air New Zealand Cup title and is Foster's assistant, is rapt with the progress this season.
"We'd taken a punt on him at Waikato and decided to keep putting him in the 22 just to build that confidence," he said. "It took him a while to settle in - new city, new environment. But he's a lot more vocal than we had initially thought, especially when he got a bit of confidence with his form, and he's playing like that at the moment.
"There was a period where it was up in the air whether he would be selected for the Chiefs, so from that point of view we're pretty delighted with the way he's played."
Kinikinilau is the senior hand in a back three which combines pace, power and a hefty dose of pizzazz. 'Flash' Masaga, 20, is joint top tryscorer in the Super 14 with four and the pair form as effective a wing pairing as any in the competition.
The 22-year-old Sweeney, after a dodgy start on Super 14 debut against the Brumbies, has grown in confidence, his running into the line proving highly effective, not to mention his finishing.
Kinikinilau is enjoying his footy and it's showing. And it's all stemmed from thinking quality, not quantity, on the training ground.
