Rejuvenated Sailosi Tagicakibau is hungry for new start

Revitalised wing Sailosi Tagicakibau insists he has not joined Wasps to make up the numbers.
The powerhouse Samoan, who left London Irish a fortnight ago after spending the summer on loan at Super 15 outfit Stormers, faces stiff competition from Christian Wade, Tom Varndell and countryman Alapati Leiua.
But Tagicakibau told The Rugby Paper: “There are good players here but that brings out the best in me and I enjoy that type of competition.
“I've got a lot to prove and I'm looking forward to being back in the Premiership and the Rugby Champions Cup, which, luckily, Wasps are part of.
“It's the biggest stage in Europe and I want to be out there, but first and foremost I need to prove myself and get a starting spot for Wasps.
“I've had a couple of run-outs against London Welsh and Connacht in pre-season and just to be here you can see they've got a good group of players.
“There's Alapati Leiua – one of the Samoan ‘brothers' – Christian Wade and Tom Varndell, but I feel refreshed and there's a lot of rugby left in me.
“There's a good mix of youth and experience here and, hopefully, I can get to know the players around me quickly so I can feed off that and contribute.”
London Irish fans were disappointed to lose the popular Tagicakibau, who scored 58 tries in 158 appearances over nine years at the club.
But the 31-year-old said: “I'd been with Irish a long time and built up good relationships, but it was best for both parties to freshen things up.
“They're trying to build something for the future and I wasn't part of that, but the chance arose with Wasps and I've taken it with both hands.”
On his experience with the Stormers, Tagicakibau explained: “Getting a change of lifestyle and rugby gave me a really good buzz.
“Being in the Premiership you forget what Super Rugby is like, but to play that style of rugby is great for outside backs.
“The pitches are harder and it's less structured, so it gets you running around more and I was enjoying the game again.
“It's high risk, high reward at times but it was good to freshen myself up and apply the things I've learned in England as well.” Tagicakibau is one of 18 front-line Samoans operating in
England with a chance of featuring at next year's Rugby World Cup.
He added: “To be part of a World Cup is the pinnacle of playing rugby. I've already experienced that and I want to try and get another shot.
“I haven't hung up my international boots yet and hopefully I can get a call-up, but that starts from playing well for Wasps.”
NEALE HARVEY
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on August 31.