Huddersfield Y.M.C.A. RUFC

but could not save them from defeat as they went down 25 – 20 to Canada in the RWC Pool A game on Wednesday 14th September. Siale played 26 times for the YMCA scoring 7 tries in the 2004 – 05 season.

He was one of a number of young New Zealand players who came to YMCA in the 2000’s to gain experience of English life and rugby. He lived with YMCA stalwart Brian Caldwell and therefore there will be no doubt that he did gain some valuable life experience. Brian’s recollections of him are that he could be a little lazy on the rugby field but what do props know?

He also played in the previous game against New Zealand and hopefully will play in the remaining two pool games. They are against Japan on the 21st September and France on the 1st October. There are highlights of the Canada game and of Siale’s tries on the official RWC site.

By Graham Nasey

Photos from http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/

Mark Ridgway, a student at Huddersfield Uni asked if he could write an artical about Siale, Martin Hunt and Martyn Dalton helped mark out with the info

The artical is below


Former Huddersfield YMCA “class act” Siale Piutau scored two tries for Tonga at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Piutau swapped YMCA for New Zealand as he earned 10 points in his nation’s 25-20 loss to Canada and featured in all four of their games.
Twenty-six on Thursday, he made 26 appearances for YMCA in the 2004/05 season as part of an exchange for youngsters the club ran.
Piutau scored seven tries whilst in Yorkshire and is fondly remembered around the club. Former team mate Martyn Dalton had nothing but praise for him.
“As soon as we saw him, we knew he was a class act. He was so strong for his age, just running through everybody, he was a really good asset to the club,” he said.
The Auckland born centre featured in the defeat to his home nation New Zealand before starring in Tonga’s victories over Japan and now semi-finalists France.
Dalton, known around the club as ‘Dolly’, feels Piutau was fantastic to have around. “He brought a lot of our players on and taught us our game as well, he was a big asset,” he said.
“He was first name on the list; definitely the stand out. We’re so proud to have had him at this club.”
During the mid-2000’s Piutau was part of a group of New Zealanders who came over to England to gain experience in both life and rugby.
Club Press Officer Martin Hunt remembers in detail how the link between New Zealand and the YMCA came about.
“We initially made the connection with New Zealand through a teacher called John Henderson who was the games master at Wesley College in Auckland.

“Mr Henderson was arranging sports exchanges between his school in New Zealand and the Woodhouse School in Bradford and a member of our club got to know him and a contact was forged,” he stated.

Piutau, along with friend Noah Vaka, lived with club stalwart Brian Caldwell whilst in Huddersfield.
“Siale was very confident and a bit feisty. It’s fair to say that Noah managed to keep Siale out of trouble most of the time,” Hunt said.

Along with Vaka, Piutau stayed long after his planned six months at YMCA as he improved.
Hunt continued: “He was mentally and physically hard, and if he thought he had half a chance to score he would run through a brick wall.”
Piutau will now go back to playing for Steelers in the ITM Cup in New Zealand and Highlanders in the Super 15.