Off the field he’s a typical down-to-earth, affable Fijian who earns a normal living as a financial consultant – but on the field Willie Umu’s been savagely terrorising UAE defences for nearly two years.
The man mountain is an imposing figure when he steps onto the turf for Abu Dhabi Harlequins and has been a key part of their free-flowing offence since arriving in the UAE in November 2014.
He was instrumental in a 56-17 win for Quins against Sri Lanka’s Kandy earlier this month, a result that was enough to see Quins pick up the Asia Rugby Western Clubs Champions League trophy, the first piece of silverware of the season.
Despite a destructive display, Umu was softly spoken and laughed loudly after game when asked why he seems so angry on the pitch yet is so smiley off it.
“I’m not really an angry guy, it’s just something I have to do,” Umu says. “That’s my role for the club, get us front ball, and if that’s what I can offer for the team then that’s what I’ll do, my best, 100 per cent.”
Umu, 27, has been a real find for Quins, brought to the club by former player-coach Jeremy Manning after they played together for the Blenheim-based Central Blues in Manning’s native New Zealand.
Willie Umu in action against Dubai Exiles last season
Umu, a financial consultant for Prosperity, lived in the Land of the Long White Cloud for seven years, previously playing for Woodlands in the prestigious Southland region.
His kiwi adventure came off the back of playing for Fiji at the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship in Wales – the first annual international competition for Under-20 national teams.
Umu had only just arrived in the Emirates on the latest leg of his career in 2014 but wasted little time making an impact as he helped Quins reclaim the Gulf Men’s League title at the Dubai Sevens.
It was a title they retained last year, but the centre is hoping to win all four trophies Quins are competing for this season.
He admits he and his team-mates are still hurting from finishing runners-up to Dubai Exiles in both the West Asia Championship and UAE Premiership in 2015/16.
“Yes, we’re hurting. We’re desperate to win all the titles,” said battering ram Umu.
“At the start of the season our goal is to win the four competitions that we are in. We were disappointed with our draw against Exiles (23-23 in Champions League opener). Hopefully it goes according to plan.”
Having won the curtain-raising Champions League title and begun their West Asia Premiership campaign on Friday with a 35-13 victory at Dubai Hurricanes, Umu believes Quins are in good shape to put the disappointment of last season behind them.
“I think what Mike (McFarlane, head coach) did with the club, starting pre-season early, it was a lot of hard work but I think it will help us,” he said.
“It’s already showing, but there is still stuff to work on. I think the last six weeks we were training has really helped us. This weather is pretty harsh on us so it was really good that we started pre-season early and in the summer.”
Two giants; Umu and Abu Dhabi Saracens’ Jaen Botes clash
Umu has been joined by a raft of fellow Fijians this summer with Quins raiding rivals Al Ain Amblers for a few of their stars.
Esekaia Dranibota, Emosi Ratuvecanaua and Sirilo Laladidi have all been plucked from the Garden City and Umu believes the new recruits are settling in well.
“It’s still hard to acclimatise, even for me having lived here a while now. I keep telling the new boys it will take 10 years to acclimatise here,” joked Umu.
“The young boys from England and three Fijians from Al Ain have blended in and I know from speaking to them that they’re enjoying it.”
Umu will qualify for the UAE in November 2017, and national team coach Apollo Perelini will surely be keeping an eye on such a talent.
The man himself though modestly brushed aside the suggestion that he could make a second international bow.
“I haven’t thought about it, I’m just loving playing for Quins,” he said. “I haven’t thought about anything like that and I haven’t been approached but we’ll see how it goes next year.”
