Jason Holland’s move to Munster, via Midleton, from Taranaki and Lifeimi Mafi’s more recent switch from Taranaki to Munster were judged to be two most shrewd signings made by overseas clubs of New Zealand players.
The Top 10 list in the New Zealand Herald also included Rua Tipoki’s switch from Waikato to Bay of Plenty, a loan move, in fifth spot.
The Herald’s rugby writer Gregor Paul wrote: 1. Jason Holland (Taranaki to Munster via Midleton) - A tidy operator at No 10 for Manawatu between 1991-96, Jason Holland failed to win a Hurricanes contract, so in 1999 he joined little-known Midleton - a strictly amateur outfit toiling in the lower divisions of the All Ireland League.
Holland caught the eye of the Munster selectors, who offered him a two-year deal worth just €25,000 a season.
It was a brilliant deal for the club. Holland broke into the first team immediately as a second-five who could play at 10. In a six-year Munster career he played 102 games and was so highly thought of by the club, he returned in 2007 and is now assistant coach.
2. Lifeimi Mafi (Taranaki to Munster) - Lifeimi Mafi was an age-grade star with the New Zealand Under 19s and Colts. He was a rock solid performer with Taranaki but couldn’t win that elusive Hurricanes contract.
Munster wanted a squad man to play mainly in the Magners League when the big stars were resting from Heineken Cup duty - so they offered Mafi that gig on a modest contract.
Mafi became an integral member of their senior squad and is now recognised as one of the most dangerous midfield operators in the European game.
The remainder of the list read as follows: 3. Joe Maddock (Canterbury to Bath), 4. Bruce Reihana (Waikato to Northampton), 5. Rua Tipoki (Waikato to Bay of Plenty), 6. Warren Gatland (Thames Valley to Connacht), 7. Sonny Parker (Auckland Marist to Pontypridd via Italy), 8. Riki Flutey (Wellington to London Irish), 9. Tony Marsh (Counties to Montferrand), 10. Jonah Lomu (North Harbour to Cardiff)
Earls - an absolute star
LIONS flanker Martyn Williams says his team-mate Keith Earls is going to be ‘an absolute star’ on the rugby pitch.
Williams provided a glowing tribute to Earls in his Lions column on the BBC website this week.
Williams was in the Lions back-row on Saturday last when the 21-year-old Munster player made a nervy debut in the red shirt.
Welshman Williams wrote: “I’d also like to say a few words about Keith Earls, who has come in for a bit of criticism. One or two things didn’t go his way, admittedly, but he’s a class player and will prove that through the rest of the tour.
“Keith has trained better than anyone in the last two weeks and looks like he’s going to be an absolute star.
Like a few of the other lads, he was probably affected by nerves. You’ve got to remember that eight of the starting line-up were making their debuts for the Lions and that was a big deal for them.
Gerald Davies, Ian McGeechan and Paul O’Connell had made short speeches before we left the Wigwam hotel in Rustenburg for the game. Then Gerald presented the players with their jerseys one by one.
“I think that was when the magnitude of being a Lion probably hit some of the lads and I must admit the bus was very quiet on the way to the stadium.
Keith was a very happy man on Tuesday, when he got to hand the Lions mascot, a cuddly toy he’s nicknamed Lenny the Lion, onto Leigh Halfpenny.
It’s a tradition that the youngest player on tour carries the mascot everywhere with him.
“If he doesn’t he gets a fine.
“This is a privilege on one hand, but it must also be bit of a bind and Keith must be pleased Leigh is now the youngest player in the squad.”
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