Riki Flutey
Former British and Irish Lions and England back Riki Flutey hopes to make a comeback in Super Rugby next year, after signing a one year contract with the Wellington Lions.
Thirty-four-year-old Flutey has signed the one year contract with the Wellington Lions with the goal of securing a Hurricanes Super Rugby contract in 2015.
Flutey has spent the last two years playing in Japan after returning from England where he played for London Wasps and he now wants to play local rugby in new Zealand again.
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“During that time my wife (Sarah) and four kids were based here in Wellington and I’d go five months without seeing them, four months without seeing them, so that was tough,” he told The Dominion Post.
“As much as I was loving the rugby and what you can earn over there is fantastic, at the end of the day family is more important to me.”
Returning to New Zealand from Japan was not so that he could retire and one of the first things he did when he got home was to contact his old club Petone and to his former Wellington coach Chris Boyd.
“Mentally and physically I’m still keen to keep playing at a high level. I know my body could handle it and take it and even though I’m 34 I don’t feel like the old guy on the field.”
“The two years in Japan have been great for my body. In terms of the physicality it wasn’t too demanding and in terms of getting the injuries right and doing heaps of fitness there has been great.”
“I approached Wellington and asked them where they were with selection and that I was keen to come back and be a part of it if they were. I know I’ve got a lot to offer.”
“I need goals to play at the highest level and if there is an opportunity to wear the Hurricanes jersey again it would be awesome to do that. That will be my drive to compete in the ITM Cup.”
Flutey’s last taste of Super Rugby was in 2005 when he won the last of his 38 Super Rugby caps. He then joined London Irish before moving to London Wasps which led to his England call up and a place on the British and Irish Lions tour in 2009.
The midfielder is hoping that he still has what it takes to play at Super Rugby level but he says if it doesn’t work out as he hopes he will still be able to look back on sucessful rugby career.
“And if it doesn’t happen its not the end of the world,” Flutey said.
“I feel like I’ve achieved a lot in my career, but wouldn’t it be great to finish up where it all started with Wellington and the Hurricanes.”