TAMATI IOANE "Break Through"

Every time he plays, he demonstrates his overflowing power. [want to be the most physical player in Japan] how close are you getting to achieving that goal of yours (interviewed on early Feb 2025)

◆Happy and Surprised

――Congratulations on your second win on this season. When you scored a try to turn the game around, you gave a momentum for the team. How did you feel?

Thank you. In was on the edge when I received the ball, but forwards in the middle did all the hard work then I just pretty much ran couple of meters to score a try.

――Every time you touch the ball, you are able to win the gain line, you look like you are in a great shape.

Happy and surprise in same time. I haven't really played over 40 min since start of the preseason I'm happy to start well and where I left off. But yea I am happy overall.

――Against Blue Revs, you played 61min, you looked like you could play longer. How did you feel out there?

I felt alright. Just early in the week, I felt bit tight on legs, I managed it the whole week, and managed to play long min but I caught awareness on it again on 60min mark so I think probably wasn't worth pushing through. Especially still long season ahead. If I get another chance to play 60 min again I will try push more and more.

――Your play is simple. Your movement is simple. Not trying to do anything complicated. Do you have intent to keep play simple?

Coaches only give me one task, to win the gain line. Get the ball in my hands as much as I can. So yea pretty simple for me. Carry hard, tackle hard, same style of rugby I've been playing since I was little.

◆I like contact

――You mentioned movement off the ball is your work on. Has it been improved?

Not consistently, but a lot better than last time. Hopefully it was better on the weekend.

――Why can you win the gain line?

I guess just the stuff that doing during the week. Down from the gym work to the extra PB on the field. And game day is good chance to display it.

――Mentally and Physically, do you train to work on the aspects?

Yea I would say so. During PB time, and during team play, I try to simulate as much as I can

――What about your mental aspect? You got to have a strong mentality of win the gain line as much as you do?

I'm not sure. I don't think too much on it.

――To win the gain line, you have to dominate, what is going through your mind when it comes to the situation?

Pretty much try to run straight through them. But I love contact.

――You said you wanted to be the most physical player in Japan, you are getting close to achieve that goal?

Nah I wouldn't say so. I see plenty of players that more physical than me, but I am trying to match that.

――To achieve that, I think It's important to have every aspect of physical, technical and mental strength. But to become stronger, what is most important thing?

Leg drive straight after contact. And Separation, creating the separation after contact. And trying to stay on my feet as long as I can.

◆Always Energetic

――Head gear is your trademark

I did here and there growing up. But I did my jaw. I thought it's probably the best option to start wearing head gear. But I think if I didn't used it wear it growing up, then I probably wouldn't wear it now. Next week mark exactly I year since I did my jaw.

――How is your jaw right now?

No problem

――You wear blue head gear for the game, is there any reason behind it?

Koba provided me a head gear. I like it too because Blue is the color of Samoan jersey, I think it's good to represent my parents heritage. Koba gave me one for training and I use blue one for the game.

――How is Pumba? (*his dog)

Always genki haha but gets tired really quick, just like me haha

――How is your Japanese?

Better now. I can understand a lot more than I can speak. I understand most of the things hereat training, but I head out to public, it's hard to understand outside of rugby.

――Things get more interesting if you are able to speak better Japanese?

Yes. I think it's good skill to pick up to. So I don't have to ask translator for help

◆Hard Running

――I assume you feel like you are in good condition, but when the team was struggling, what was going through in your head?

Ah yea frustrating at the start, but I always knew we will find our feet. We got new combinations that we still try to get used to. I think we slowly find our feet now. Not the start we wanted anyway but I think we are heading into the right direction

――Do you feel like you are going to get better from here?

Yea no doubt.

――What is your goal for the season from here?

Championship, I'm pretty sure it's a goal for all of us

――To achieve that, what is your role?

Run hard, and gain momentum as much as I can. I think once I can do that makes my game a lot easier. That's what I think I can contribute if anything.

――I mentioned at the start, you play simple Rugby, Do you intent to play simple Rugby?

Yea I have intent to. That's what I get from coaches and that's what they from me. Unless I get told anything else.

――What do you enjoy the most in rugby?

I still love it now even though when we were losing at the start of the season. But obviously feel bit better now that we are winning. Game day and hanging out with the boys is what I enjoy the most.

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Daiyu Ishimori)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]