Apisai says bye to Canes

It's easy to forget that Leni Apisai started the first three games of the Hurricanes' 2016 season.

"Then I suffered a concussion against the Blues and - talk about taking your opportunities - that's something Ricky's done well, and it shows, because he's been called into the All Blacks," Apisai said on Wednesday.

Back then Apisai was the second hooker on the Hurricanes' depth chart, just a spot below captain Dane Coles. Injury helped Ricky Riccitelli push past him, and with Asafo Aumua now emerging strongly, Apisai is off to Auckland having signed a two-year deal with the Blues.

"When you've got four quality hookers in the region playing for three spots, unfortunately one person has to miss out and that happened to be me and I had to look for different places that would help me develop," said Apisai.

Just 21, Apisai captained New Zealand at last year's world under-20 tournaments and later earned selection on the New Zealand Maori tour to the northern hemisphere, so we're talking about a genuine up-and-comer here.

Equally, Riccitelli's claims to be Coles' back-up couldn't be denied. Only 22 himself, Riccitelli performed very ably when a rib injury forced Coles out of the starting line-up in 2016, before concussion sidelined the skipper this year. With Coles suffering a minor head knock last week, Riccitelli is now with the All Blacks in Sydney.

Then there's Aumua, 21, who has the potential to outstrip the lot of them.

"It's all about taking your opportunities and making the most of things and that's exactly what [Riccitelli] did and I didn't do enough to push him back out," Apisai said.

"I have suffered a few injuries at crucial times, but I'm not going to dwell on that and use that as an excuse for why I have to leave."

As Apisai added "that's the way rugby is. I still love the Canes, still love Wellington."

An ankle ligament injury sustained on club duty with Northern United means Apisai is a good two or three weeks away from competing with Aumua for Wellington's hooking berth. The Lions start their provincial campaign against Manawatu on Sunday, with promotion to the competition's top-tier the obvious aim.

"We really owe it to the fans to get back into the premiership," said Apisai.

One person the Lions will have to do that without is Richard Watt. Technical adviser with the Hurricanes and Samoa, the longtime Wellington forwards coach has had to concede that you can't work 52 weeks a year forever.

His absence has been noted.

"It's a lot quieter," a chuckling Apisai said.

"I've had a lot to do with Watty, growing up here and coming up through the system. Yeah, it is a lot quieter. Less f-bombs being thrown around."

 

Photo: GETTY IMAGES Caption: Departing Hurricanes hooker Leni Apisai powers over to score against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in May.