“I’m lucky to have had supportive clubs,” says Samoa star Kahn Fotuali’i

Kahn Fotuali’i admits Polynesian players are under pressure to quit international rugby in order to secure lucrative overseas contracts.
But Northampton‘s Samoan scrum-half insists he has never encountered it personally – nor does he expect to ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Samoa’s World Cup hopes suffered a blow last month when star tighthead Census Johnston announced his international retirement just days after signing a new contract with Toulouse, who he joined in 2009.
Accusations have followed, led by London Irish lock Dan Leo, that Polynesian players are routinely forced to choose between club and country.
Fortuali’i, one of 21 English-based players named in Samoa’s 58-man World Cup training squad, told The Rugby Paper: “It’s not something I’ve experienced but I’ve heard it from other players and other Polynesians around the game.
“The clubs I’ve been at, Ospreys and Northampton, have always been very supportive of me and the other boys. You’ve got jobs to do here and the main focus is on Saints, but they’re not going to hold you back from playing for your country.
“But there are different mindsets elsewhere and it’s a blow that someone like Census Johnston won’t be with us at the World Cup. There aren’t that many tight-heads around and he’s been in his prime for Toulouse for quite a long time.
“From what I’ve read it’s an issue for him and his family and there is that pressure from some clubs, no doubt, to stay away from World Cups.”
Fotuali’i, however, defends the right of Polynesian players to make those decisions, adding: “It’s always going to be tough for guys who decide to give up Test rugby, but some guys have big families back in Samoa, New Zealand or wherever.
“They need to be provided for and there’s not a lot of money going round in Polynesian rugby, where it’s all done for the love of the game, so you have to respect the fact that guys like Census feel they must prioritise their
families.
“Short of pumping in more money to ensure all the best players are available, I’m not sure what more World Rugby can do. Guys are earning livings in Europe to support their families and they must do what they feel is best for them.”
Fotuali’i, meanwhile, is desperate for Northampton to create a new East Midlands dynasty by winning successive Premiership titles.
He said: “Dylan Hartley, Calum Clark and I were talking last week about how cool it would be to go back-to-back. Winning the title the first time was massive, but going up to Twickenham and doing it again would show last year wasn’t a fluke.
“We know there’s a lot more to come from us and we’ve been stepping up our game week-by-week, so we’re ready for these big matches. Having home advantage this Saturday is massive and we’re looking to really up our game now.”
NEALE HARVEY