Vikings Hooker – Siliva Siliva
As the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) attempts to reignite the concept of adding a tier between Super Rugby and local rugby competitions, the National Rugby Championship (NRC), Brumbies Man (BM) will attempt to help you get to know the University of Canberra (UC) Vikings in their push to conquer the remaining eight (8) teams and become the inaugural NRC champions.
Today we are going to meet one of the Brumbies super stars who will be representing the UC Vikings in 2014, once he recovers from his latest injury, Siliva Siliva. Siliva comes to us from growing up in Melbourne, getting an opportunity with the Western Force before moving to Canberra to represent the Brumbies, Royals in the local competition and the mighty UC Vikings.
BM: Siliva, being born in Melbourne, how did you come across Rugby?
Siliva: It was more background, and then I played club rugby. For me it was all club rugby, I didn’t play any school rugby at all.
BM: Did you always play Hooker?
Siliva: Yeah, I always played hooker.
BM: I understand you are part of a big family with 5 younger siblings. Do you like being a big brother?
Siliva: I don’t mind it, it is pretty good. Obviously you are the oldest, so you set an example to your younger ones so they can learn off you.
BM: Do you get back to see them often?
Siliva: Being in Canberra, I do. It is better now that I can see them more often. Prior to moving to Canberra, I was with the Western Force, and of course being on the other side of the country made it harder to see them. Being able to be closer to my family was one of the key factors in the move to Canberra. BM: That’s great, the Canberra fans are glad you made the move too.
BM: Are you excited by the opportunities that the NRC presents?
Siliva: The NRC is a great opportunity for guys like me and other amateur rugby players to prove themselves and show that they are up for professional rugby.
BM: Do you think it will be good for Australian Rugby?
Siliva: Definitely, it will make Australian Rugby a lot stronger, especially for the Super Rugby players like me, who spend a lot of time on the bench, and all the young players who are still trying to prove themselves.
BM: Being associated with Royals Rugby in the local competition, do you as they say “Bleed Blue”?
Siliva: Yeah I do, I definitely do. When I moved over, I was introduced to the Royals club and I have loved training and playing with them. I tend to go to all the training sessions, even when I wasn’t playing I would still try to get there and help out the 1st grade team.
BM: Do you think the NRC will help or hinder the local competition?
Siliva: I think it will definitely make the local competition stronger, guys will want to play better, so they can play in the NRC and show their skills to Australian Rugby and world rugby. I don’t think it will hinder the local competitions at all.
BM: Do you know much about the other NRC teams yet?
Siliva: No I haven’t got much information on the other NRC teams as yet, but I do know that they will be strong. Majority should be about 60-70% of Super Rugby players.
BM: Who do you see developing into an arch rival?
Siliva: Probably the Melbourne team, as they are pretty much very similar to the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team. The majority of the Melbourne Rebels should be playing, so they should give it a good crack.
BM: What would you say is the biggest difference when you run out as a Brumby versus when you go out and represent Royals?
Siliva: I don’t think there is much of a difference. To me, footy is footy, I always try my hardest in any jumper I wear.
BM: So you wouldn’t say there is more intensity in one over the other?
Siliva: Intensity wise, there is a lot more intensity in Super Rugby, but when you get to the club rugby finals, the intensity starts to get up there. In last year’s finals I was definitely in a world of hurt trying to play as hard as I could for the boys. It was all there in last year’s Grand Final.
BM: Do you expect the NRC to be closer the Brumbies or club rugby intensity?
Siliva: It will definitely be closer to the intensity of Super Rugby, because of the percentage of Super Rugby players. As the intensity of the Super Rugby players will be up there, the intensity of the NRC will follow.
BM: There has been talk that you are part of the Australian succession plan, i.e. a future Wallaby. Does that put pressure on you or does it motivate you?
Siliva: It definitely motivates me, as there are people out there that do back me up. It is pretty tough when you have been hit with big injuries, and thus been tested mentally. I am on a good path right now, and I am sure I can give it a good crack.
BM: How is your recovery going, are you going to be okay for round 1 of the NRC?
Siliva: No I will probably miss the first couple of weeks, hopefully be there for week 4 or 5, but if not, I will definitely be ready for next year.
BM: Who was your idol growing up?
Siliva: I didn’t really have many idols growing, I just liked general hookers in world rugby, Schalk Brits and skillful hookers. Schalk Brits was definitely a skillful hooker, and Jeremy Paul was too.
BM: Last question, what advice would you give an 8 year old, starting their 1st season of tackle rugby, who wanted to follow in your footsteps?
Siliva: Not too sure, it is really hard to give advice to an 8 year old, but I would tell them to work hard and listen to their coaches. If they listen to their coaches, they will reap the rewards as they get older, they’ll learn how to tackle and play and as they get older they’ll get better.
BM: Great advice, thanks for your time Siliva and good luck with your recovery.
