Harlequins’ Foa’i plots path to professional career

Martyn Thomas 09:52 28/07/2014
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  • Lots on his plate: Foa'i will be at the London Harlequins for a two week spell.

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins centre Iziq Foa’i is keeping his options open as he plots a path he hopes will lead to a career in professional rugby.

    Having spent time with the London Harlequins academy last summer, the young New Zealander is heading back to the Aviva Premiership club at the end of the month for a two-week spell that could culminate in an appearance at the Premiership sevens.

    But that is not all the 19-year-old has to look forward to, as he will then head north to spend a fortnight with rugby league giants St Helens.

    Foa’i grew up playing league, only crossing codes when he arrived in Abu Dhabi four years ago, and admits to being “stuck” when considering his future options.

    “At the moment I’m just going for whatever and trying to prove myself and see if I’m good enough,” he said when asked if he has a preference between codes.

    “I love both. It’s always been a dream to play professional rugby but growing up I started playing rugby league. I didn’t start playing rugby until I moved here but it’s really grown on me as well. 

    “So I’m sort of stuck between the two codes.”

    Foa’i reveals he has been looking forward to returning to Quins “since I left last year” and in preparation for his month-long marathon has been training twice a day under the supervision of his Abu Dhabi team-mate and former Quins RL player, Ben Bolger.

    He will hope the hard work pays off, as the teenager is in line to rub shoulders with some impressive names if he makes it into the Quins squad for the Premiership sevens.

    The young Kiwi says that is the plan for his time in London, while he could face a dilemma if that does happen or he impresses with St Helens. His time on Merseyside will finish with a trial — but he has already promised his mum he will return to the UAE to complete his schooling next year.

    “My mum really wants me to come back and finish off my last year of school just so I have something under my belt,” he added.

    “I’m not trying to get my hopes up for anything I don’t want to get too excited for nothing.

    “Going over there I’m just going to scrape up as much knowledge as I can and learn and feed off all of the coaches and players surrounding me so I can bring it back and apply it to my game.”

    That is an attitude that will surely pay dividends for his UAE club as they try to go one better than last season and correct their final jitters.

    “It’s brilliant. Jeremy (Manning, Abu Dhabi Quins coach) has really worked on him this year and he’s come on leaps and bounds,” club captain Graham Murphy said.

    “He’s going to be a great player in the future. You can build a team around him at this stage. Whereas last year he was young and inexperienced, he has come on so much.”

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