Saili eyes silverware after turning his back on All Blacks

Gifted centre Francis Saili believes his unique brand of passing skills, embellished by gainline-busting, off-loading qualities reminiscent of Sonny Bill Williams can help fire Harlequins to their first silverware in five years.
Twice-capped former All Black Saili, 26, revealed how he turned down a chance to head home to fight for a World Cup place after leaving Munster in May. Instead, he is delighted to be pitting his wits in the Premiership in a star-studded Harlequins midfield.
Saili, who will do battle with Jamie Roberts and rising England star Joe Marchant, told The Rugby Paper: “Everything was open to me – France, England or Super Rugby – but I saw joining Harlequins as a huge opportunity for myself and my partner.
“I had a chat with Charles Piutau, who played in England for Wasps before joining Ulster, and we agreed these are the sort of opportunities we never get back home… to live in London, play rugby here and embrace the European competition.
“You’ve just got to take them and whether that means sacrificing your All Blacks dream, at the end of the day it’s a different perspective for us. We see the world through different lenses and I’ve been blessed throughout my career in that regard.
“My family come from Samoa where they never really had these opportunities so you’ve just got to embrace it. Part of it is about supporting my family as well, so that’s why I wanted to come to a team like Harlequins that’s really family orientated.
“I had an open mind but (rugby director) John Kingston kept tabs on me and reassured me that they’d look after everything off the field as well as on it. If a player’s not happy at home it can affect the rugby, so that was very important to me.”
Saili gazes at the wall-sized picture inside Harlequins’ training centre depicting the atmosphere at one of their ‘Big Games’ at Twickenham, before adding: “Look at that, it paints a lot of pictures. I played there once for the Barbarians and it’s a beautiful stadium, so I’m looking forward to going there again with Quins… if selected, of course!
“It’s very exciting. I’ve only been here a short while and I’m still integrating myself into the new systems, but I’m already buzzing to be on the field with these guys. I’ll have to pace myself into it but I really want to bring my skill-set into the team as well because once we get these midfield combinations sorted, it’s going to be all go.”
Saili may have turned his back on the All Blacks for now but his pedigree remains intact, having emerged from the 2011 New Zealand U20s Junior World Cup-winning side that contained Piutau and current New Zealand stars Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Waisake Naholo, Lima Sopoanga, Codie Taylor, Brodie Retallick, Steven Luatua and Sam Cane.
He said: “About 12 or 13 of us came out of that team and our year produced the most All Blacks from the U20s. Most are really well known names back home now and it’s always nice to see guys doing well from afar and it’s something you cherish.
“My first cap for the All Blacks against Argentina in 2013 will always be a career highlight and I’d like to have had more chances. I’d never rule out going home again and competing, but I’m looking forward to having three big seasons at Harlequins.”
Saili proved a hugely impressive figure last season as Munster overcame the shock death of their coach, Anthony Foley, to march to the Champions Cup semi-final and the final of the Pro12.
They came up short in both, losing to Saracens and Scarlets respectively, but Saili’s contribution will be remembered and now he wants to stamp his class on Harlequins.
He said: “We had a real rollercoaster at Munster last season in terms of our coach passing away early on. To have to bury your coach and then play Glasgow the next day certainly makes you think, but the beauty of rugby is how it unites people and to do so well in Europe and then reach the Pro12 final was a really good effort in the end.
“I enjoyed my time with Munster but I’m a Harlequins player now and they want me to use my skill-set to try to make the team better. I’m not too fussed whether I play 12 or 13 but I’ve seen them play and they like to throw the ball around.
“I always see myself as being able to bring some X-factor in the way I have a go and utilise the outside backs. We have good outside backs, some top class internationals, so being able to put them into space and give them opportunities is exciting.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching Sonny Bill and I’ll certainly look to throw a few offloads. It’s about doing it at the right time and being able to anticipate runners, but the way
Harlequins have been playing I think we’ll get a lot
of change from that. At the same time, it’s important that I look after our playmakers – the nines and tens – and that’s something I can really bring to the table with the way I can communicate and express myself within the systems our coaches want to play.”
Piutau proved a huge hit for Wasps during his single Premiership season in 2015-16 and Saili is desperate to follow his mate, but with silverware at the end.
Saili added: “I’m excited about the Premiership and the talk before I came here from Charles and friends back home is that it’s a seriously good competition to be part of, so I can’t wait to get out there alongside these fellows.
“We’re ambitious to win trophies and titles and I’ll express myself towards that aim.
“The last time Quins won any silverware was 2013 so there’s a few cobwebs in the trophy cabinet. We’ve got a lot of hard work to before we can start filling it again, but I’m excited so we’d better give it a good brush down!”
NEALE HARVEY