There are few professions where a punch-up between workers from two different companies culminates in after-hour beers and inside jokes. Siale Piutau is glad he’s carved a career in one of them.
“That’s the beauty of rugby,” the 35-year-old Bristol Bears centre tells The Rugby Paper. “We put our bodies on the line and we care about what we do. It was great to see my teammates jump in to my defence but it was also great to see the Worcester boys get stuck in to defend their man.
“After the game it’s all over and we move on. We’ve since had a drink and a laugh about it.”
The incident in question would have resulted in court hearings and possible criminal charges had it occurred on the high street. Instead, for throwing and landing several punches each, Piutau and Worcester Warriors’ Andrew Kitchener received three-game bans for an after-whistle brawl in a Premiership clash on September 4.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” Piutau says with a slight chuckle. “You can’t throw closed fists. You’ve got to keep your palms open. But it’s rugby. It’s a bruising sport. It’s part of what makes it special.”
With 43 Test caps for Tonga, including 12 in three World Cup appearances, and a senior rugby journey spanning 14 years, one might assume that Piutau was always destined for a life as a professional rugby player.
“I was a late bloomer actually,” he explains. “I was working as a sales rep for Vodafone trying to convince people that video calling technology would be the next big thing. It was a tough sell back then. Now it’s everywhere.”
This story is from the December 13, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 13, 2020 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
