Ben Jaycock talks to Ampthill's Tongan legend Aleki Lutui about his longevity
Ampthill's Aleki Lutui grew up in Tofoa, Tonga and has played professional rugby all over the world and at the advanced age of 43 continues to play due to his love of the game.
Growing up in a rugby obsessed nation, Lutui played the sport from as early as he can remember, and it was his time playing for the Tongan Police Force that kick-started his international career.
He said: “In Tonga you don't get any opportunity to go to university because to get an education you need to move to New Zealand or Australia. So, after my last year in high school, I joined the police force and at the time they had a rugby team which I played for and managed to join the Tongan team from there.”
The hooker made his Tonga debut at the age of 21 against Georgia in a World Cup qualifier in 1999, a game Tonga won 37-6.
He said: “It's a massive honour to represent your country and it was the only thing growing up that I was looking to achieve. So, when I got my first cap it was a privilege and I kept pushing on to play professional.”
At 22, the Tongan moved to New Zealand to advance his rugby career and joined the Bay of Plenty in the National Provincial Championship.
Lutui was the top try scorer for the Bay of Plenty in the 2002 competition, catching the eye of Super Rugby side the Chiefs who awarded the hooker a contract in 2003.
He said: “When I first moved to New Zealand it was a massive shock. I had to adjust myself because coming from Tonga there's no discipline and I didn't know how to live as a professional rugby player.
But when I got there, I learnt quick and was lucky to be in the right environment with the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
“I had a great time at the Chiefs. I never dreamt of playing in Super Rugby especially coming from Tonga, but I pretty much earned the foundations of my career from there.”
Lutui is known for being a powerful ball carrier and hitter with his all-action displays and eye for the try line.
But despite being 108 kg (17st), he says he didn't stand out in Tonga and many of the people he grew up with were far bigger.
He said: “Believe it or not, I wasn't always a big kid. In Tonga there's a lot of bigger people than me, so I guess I was just an average build for a Tongan.”
The 43-year-old earned 38 caps for his country, captaining them seven times and also played for the Pacific Islanders seven times but Lutui's fondest memory came during the 2011 World Cup.
Lutui's Tonga produced the upset of the tourna- ment when they beat France 19-14 in the last round in Pool A.
He said: “My favourite memory in a Tongan jersey was at the World Cup in 2011 when we beat France in the last game in the pool.
Especially as the game was played in New Zealand, so there were a lot of Tongans in the crowd which made it a special atmosphere and a day I will never forget.”
The hooker represented his country at three World Cups in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
Lutui moved to England in 2006 and played for Worcester Warriors for seven years, making 181 appearances and scoring 115 points.
He said: “I still live in Worcester, it's where my family and I first moved to in the UK. We have stayed ever since because we love the city. All three of my kids were born here, so this is like a second home for us.
“At Worcester we always struggled. A few times we managed to avoid relegation from the Premiership which was quite special. In my first year we had to beat Saracens in the last game of the season to avoid relegation and we achieved that, so that was a great time. Reaching the Challenge Cup final in 2008 was special too.”
After brief stints with Edinburgh and Gloucester, the hooker joined Ampthill in 2015 and is enjoying his sixth season with the club.
“The body is not the same, but the mind keeps trucking on”
He said: “Being in the Championship is a massive challenge for the club, especially financially but now we're going in the right direction. We have a good squad and are coping at this new level. Now it's about building the confidence and the consistency to be able to compete.
“I think we can finish in the top six, which would be a massive achievement and would build the confidence for next season.
“I love the game and I still enjoy it and I'm one of those players that has been lucky with no serious injuries in my entire career. That's why I'm still in love with the game, the body is not the same, but the mind keeps trucking on.”
Lutui remains a huge Tonga fan and is optimistic about their chances at the 2023 World Cup after World Rugby's change in eligibility rules last year.
He said: “It's a massive boost for those players that have represented New Zealand or Australia because if they don't get picked it should be fair for them to come and help small nations like us, Samoa and Fiji.
“If we get all our players available, we could be a force at the 2023 World Cup. Especially if our backs put their hands up and make themselves available, I think we can compete. But it is all down to individual player decision, if they make themselves available, I am sure they will give everything for our country.
“The likes of Charles Piutau, Malakai Fekitoa and Ngani Laumape will be huge for our backline.”
Lutui also believes it is vital Tonga call in Australian outcast Israel Folau.
He said: “I think Tonga will welcome back Folau, especially as his parents are from Tonga and I think he will be proud to represent the country if he is given that opportunity.”
