CONNACHT HEAD COACH Pat Lam insists the province must focus on maintaining their culture as high-profile signings such as Mils Muliaina bring new ability and experience to the squad.
The former New Zealand fullback has arrived in Ireland but will not play until October as he continues to recover from the elbow injury that ended his 2014 season for the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
Despite the delay on Muliaina’s playing debut, Lam is confident the 34-year-old’s impact will be swiftly felt by Connacht’s younger players. Thereafter, the province have two further additions to look forward to.
He [Muliaina] will kick straight into that mentoring role, which is what we were really keen to have for our inexperienced backline,” says Lam.
“Bundee Aki and Tom McCartney will finish up their ITM Cup commitments and then arrive here [potentially in late October]. The thing that I know from last year, it’s a long season and by the time they arrive, it’s just about when you want an injection of quality players.”
Lam states that the IRFU have been “amazing” in facilitating these transfers into Connacht, underlining the fact that Irish rugby’s governing body have similar ambitions to the western province.
“For Irish rugby to be strong, they need four strong provinces and Connacht’s vision is to be right up there. That vision attracted me to Connacht and it’s the same for these guys [Muliaina, Aki and McCartney]. You can sell that vision to them.”
In terms of the players Lam has retained from last season, centre Robbie Henshaw has been highlighted as having an even more important role in 2014/15. The 21-year-old is now a three-cap Ireland international and Lam is relieved the prospect is still at Connacht.
It was massive. It’s no secret that everyone was keen to get him, but he’s a Connacht boy and he’s integral to what we’re trying to do. He’s a big part of Irish rugby. I think with Mils coming, it’s going to really help his development too.”
Whatever about playing personnel, Lam is a keen believer in the importance of the underlying culture. Heading into his second season with Connacht, the former Samoa back row is buoyed by his belief that the westerners have that element take care of.
Lam sees Connacht pushing their way into the European elite in the future, but whatever that journey entails, the 45-year-old stresses the need for the province to stay in touch with what has brought them to this point.
“You’ve got to stay true to what essentially is Connacht. They have a real pride; I’ve been picking up a few Irish words and I think that’s important. Rise up – that’s what we’re about.
“After I went to Newcastle when rugby went into professionalism, I played for different teams. Before, it used to be that you played for your school, your province, your country. That suddenly changed, but what doesn’t change is that you’ve got to understand who you’re playing for. Because, when you’re down by two points in the last five minutes, you’ve got to fight hard and know who you represent.
When I came here, it was no different. I needed to know who I represent, because then I get passionate. When I coach, I’m a passionate person and I’ve got to believe where I’m going to go.
“I’ve got to believe in the vision, because if I don’t, my players sure as hell won’t either. It’s important that the whole essence of what Connacht is about is maintained.”
- Additional reporting by Andy McGeady.