Most people must think Toni Pulu is crazy. Why would anyone jump from the high-flying New Zealand rugby system to take a chance in Australia at the ACT Brumbies and for the struggling Wallabies?
Australian Super Rugby teams lost 40 games in a row against New Zealand until a 722-day drought was broken earlier this year, and the Wallabies hit rock bottom on their spring tour of Europe.
Brumbies recruit Toni Pulu was once dubbed the fastest man in New Zealand rugby.Credit:Elesa Kurtz
But fleet-footed winger Pulu has no doubt about his decision to land in Canberra, although he admits he was uncomfortable when he put the Brumbies jersey on for the first time last week.
Not because he still feels an affinity for the Waikato Chiefs. Instead, Pulu was reluctant to be involved in the Brumbies jersey launch because he wants to earn his stripes before he puts it on again.
"That's the mentality I've got. I don't want to do things without earning the right. I know I've got to do the hard yards before I get to wear the Brumbies jersey again," Pulu said.
Pulu has started his journey at the Brumbies after chasing a fresh start in Australia, and has his sights on putting on an Wallabies gold jumper for the first time as well if he performs in Super Rugby.
The 28-year-old, who was born in the United States, qualifies to play for the Wallabies at the World Cup next year via his Australian mother.
The lure of the World Cup is in the back of his mind after shelving his initial hopes of playing for the All Blacks and committing his future to the Wallabies.
He is a handy pick up for the Brumbies, giving them genuine X-factor in the back line alongside Henry Speight and Tom Banks, as well as competing with Andy Muirhead and Lausii Taliauli for a wing spot.
Pulu was somewhat of a late-bloomer, making his Super Rugby debut in 2016 and dubbed the fastest man in New Zealand by Chiefs coach Dave Rennie in the same season after scoring five tries in 12 games.
Pulu apparently ran 40 metres in just 4.78 seconds, and he's already blowing the Brumbies away with his impressive numbers since the start of pre-season training.
But he has been hampered by injuries, which have stalled his career over the years. He's had two ankle operations, a shoulder reconstruction, a ruptured patella tendon and torn two ligaments in his finger.
So Pulu has played just 31 games after breaking into the Chiefs squad in 2014.
"It was a hard decision to leave. The Chiefs are a great team to be a part of and I'll never forget what they've done for me," Pulu said.
"But at the age I'm at, I needed a change and I thought the Brumbies would be a good fit for me. The Brumbies have been playing well the last couple of years and if I get my chance to put the jersey on, I'll make the most of my opportunity."
There's also an opportunity for the Wallabies. No one has managed to light the world on fire on the Wallabies wings in the past 12 months, so Pulu could emerge as a bolter.
"The Wallabies are an aspiration. My main focus at a new franchise is to get fit, play as much footy as I can and if the Australian call up comes, I'll be happy," Pulu said.
"I haven't played any age-group [international rugby]. I was quite late in developing my rugby skills, so I've been fortunate enough to get another crack and be here at the Brumbies so I'm looking forward to it."
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