The 'mental toughness' that came from life's ultimate curve-ball
One Muliaina brother has replaced another at first-five-eighth in a story that is a special one, but also with a touch of disappointment mixed in.
For some, it could be daunting - not Rico Muliaina though. Let me explain.
Muliaina will on Friday line up at first five-eighth for the Southland Boys’ High School first XV as it looks to make history by joining the class of 1987.
Southland Boys’ will take on Palmerston North Boys’ High School in a semifinal at the National Top 4 finals.
The Invercargill school has only once won a national semifinal and progressed to the national rugby final. That was 36 years ago in 1987.
Muliaina has been shifted from fullback to replace his younger brother Mika at first-five for Friday’s all-important game.
Mika was ruled out on Wednesday as he battled to recover from a knee injury.
Given what is at stake, the job at hand could play on the minds of some.
Although Southland Boys’ High coach Jason Dermody says there are no signs of that with Rico, and there’s a good reason for that.
Last year Rico Muliaina was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the Lymphatic system.
It’s a lot to deal with both mentally and physically at any age, let alone for an active teenager.
Returning to the rugby field this year was special. Now getting to represent his school in a national semifinal on Friday is something worth celebrating.
“We’ve really noticed this week he has got a mental toughness about him, and I think that’s what he went through. He has come out the other side and he’s a different kid now,” Dermody said.
“He’s pretty switched on this week, and he’s been leading the boys well.”
It’s a special story for one Muliaina brother, although it’s one with a touch of disappointment attached to it for the other.
Sixteen-year-old Mika is regarded as an impressive talent. The Highlanders already have him in their sights; although it’s expected they will probably have some competition from others on that front.
Dermody said it was disappointing Mika won’t get to play in Palmerston North, but he also pointed out that Mika was just at the start of his career and there would be plenty more to come for him.
“He will play a lot of rugby at a high level I’d say.”
Dermody was also more than confident in his older brother Rico to fill the void at first five-eighth.
“We lose nothing with him going to ten. Our best attacking game this year was against Kings and he played ten that day.”
Southland Boys’ has had to leap three significant hurdles over three weeks - Kings, Otago Boys’, and Christchurch Boys’ - to set up a national semifinals spot.
Dermody has seen growth in the team on the back of that.
“It was a big loss with Mika but when we announced he wasn’t playing, the boys just got on with it and slotted into their positions. They’ve actually grown up quite a bit in the last three or four weeks which is good. They’ve matured as players and as people, I think.”
Friday’s game against Palmerston North Boys’ High School is scheduled to kick off at 2.45pm.