Blues and Tonga powerhouse Pita Ahki, fresh off a trophy-laden seven-year saga with Toulouse, has laid down some straight talk for New Zealand's rugby talent considering careers abroad. Back in Auckland for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season, Ahki is taking over the reins from All Blacks utility back Rieko Ioane at outside centre, but with a humble attitude and a wealth of experience, he's ready to grind for his spot.
Ahki, who also had a stint with Connacht before making a significant mark in France, boasts an impressive resume, including five Top 14 titles and two Champions Cup victories. His international career saw a shift when he took up the Tongan jersey in 2023, following New Zealand Rugby's policy against selecting foreign-based players for the All Blacks.
The seasoned centre spoke on the DSPN podcast, emphasizing the value of international exposure for players who feel overlooked at home.
"I think I’d recommend going for a year or two. You look at the likes of Leicester Fainga?anuku, who has gone for a couple of years to Toulon, come back and now he’s back in the All Blacks set-up,"
Ahki said.
"But I think everyone’s got their own sort of path. And I think if you’re not getting looked at for the All Blacks or whatever team, then I think you have to choose that path to go overseas."
Ahki admits that leaving New Zealand was a daunting move, especially as a self-described shy and quiet person. Yet, he champions the courage it takes to step out and seize new opportunities. "I applaud people that take that step to experience something new and I don’t regret it," he shared.
Now back with the Blues, Ahki is poised not just to fill Ioane's boots but also to mentor the next generation of talent with the rich insights gained from his international ventures. "Obviously, that’s the reason why the door is open here for the Blues," he acknowledged, "But I know for myself, like you said, no one’s automatic anywhere. So, I know I have to work for my position. We’ve got a lot of young, talented footballers and midfielders in the team. And I’m just looking forward to trying to help them with my experiences and just try to go one step further this year."
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Blues and Tonga powerhouse Pita Ahki, fresh off a trophy-laden seven-year saga with Toulouse, has laid down some straight talk for New Zealand's rugby talent considering careers abroad. Back in Auckland for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season, Ahki is taking over the reins from All Blacks utility back Rieko Ioane at outside centre, but with a humble attitude and a wealth of experience, he's ready to grind for his spot.
Ahki, who also had a stint with Connacht before making a significant mark in France, boasts an impressive resume, including five Top 14 titles and two Champions Cup victories. His international career saw a shift when he took up the Tongan jersey in 2023, following New Zealand Rugby's policy against selecting foreign-based players for the All Blacks.
The seasoned centre spoke on the DSPN podcast, emphasizing the value of international exposure for players who feel overlooked at home.
"I think I’d recommend going for a year or two. You look at the likes of Leicester Fainga?anuku, who has gone for a couple of years to Toulon, come back and now he’s back in the All Blacks set-up,"
Ahki said."But I think everyone’s got their own sort of path. And I think if you’re not getting looked at for the All Blacks or whatever team, then I think you have to choose that path to go overseas."
Ahki admits that leaving New Zealand was a daunting move, especially as a self-described shy and quiet person. Yet, he champions the courage it takes to step out and seize new opportunities. "I applaud people that take that step to experience something new and I don’t regret it," he shared.
Now back with the Blues, Ahki is poised not just to fill Ioane's boots but also to mentor the next generation of talent with the rich insights gained from his international ventures. "Obviously, that’s the reason why the door is open here for the Blues," he acknowledged, "But I know for myself, like you said, no one’s automatic anywhere. So, I know I have to work for my position. We’ve got a lot of young, talented footballers and midfielders in the team. And I’m just looking forward to trying to help them with my experiences and just try to go one step further this year."