Piutau praised for accepting Cup fate
As other nations come to grips with
their player availability issues when they play their rugby outside
their country, Charles Piutau's response to his exclusion from the Rugby
World Cup team has won praise in England.
Piutau, who signed for Ulster in March,
made his shift to the northern hemisphere known well before the All
Blacks' side was selected for the World Cup.
But when he wanted a
short-term contract with the Blues in order to keep playing before
taking up his Ulster contract it was blocked.
That saw Wasps step
in to offer him rugby for the remainder of the British season and he
has already made his mark with the club. He picked up the man of the
match award as Wasps beat Leinster 33-6 in Dublin on Sunday, in only his
second appearance for the side.
Piutau, 24 and 17 Test caps,
told The Guardian: "I knew it was a possibility that [the Ulster
contract] could affect my chances of making the [World Cup] team.
"I hoped it wouldn't, but I knew it could. I was told by the coaches that that wasn't the reason, but I felt it was part of it."
Piutau said it had been tough watching the Rugby World Cup from home while playing in the ITM Cup for Auckland.
"No-one
likes to be a spectator. You do have the 'what-ifs', but I'm the type
of person, once I've made my decision I'm happy," he said.
Piutau
said he could have kept details of his Ulster contract to himself but
said he backed himself to still make the All Blacks, and had given
everything to achieve the game but it hadn't worked out.
While his disclosure had cost him a place, the financial return was some comfort.
"Financially
it's a great support for me and my family. But I guess the new culture
and the different experience, living in a different country – it's a big
thing for me.
"You're quite lucky in rugby if you get 10 years, let alone five. I wanted to make the most of it," he said.
Piutau
understood the reasons for the policy that contributed to his exclusion
and for that The Guardian said: "His decision to come here may have
proved controversial but he made it with his own mind and has borne the
consequences like a man. Now let's see what he can do for rugby on this
side of the planet."
