Coup of the century as Muliaina signs for Connacht Rugby

In a one-year deal thought to be worth around €300,000, a record for the province, the 100-times capped New Zealand full-back will have a dual player and mentor role at Connacht next season.

As Connacht coups go, they don’t get much bigger than Muliaina, who scored 34 international tries in an eight-year playing career with New Zealand that includes appearing in three World Cups and winning one.

Muliaina, Connacht’s first ever All-Black signing, is big box office, will draw the crowds to College Road, and boost season ticket sales. But the signing is not without risk.

Head coach Pat Lam, who coaxed the Super Rugby Chiefs utility-back to Galway, has gambled again on a signing from Down Under: Muliaina will be 34 when he arrives in Ireland, is far from his peak, is winding down to retirement and it is unclear how he will recover from recent surgery to sort out a niggling elbow injury.

Lam’s previous coup last year, luring the experienced Craig Clarke, was a massive boost but he is now sidelined indefinitely with concussion, an injury problem he brought with him to the West of Ireland.

The exposure Muliaina will bring to Connacht, and the ammunition it will give Lam and his successors in future recruitment drives, is invaluable.  The downside is, the more he plays, the less game-time Irish-qualified youngsters will get.

And in order for it to be more than an ‘all fur coat and no kickers’ signing, the rising stars of Connacht – Robbie Henshaw, Jack Carty, Darragh Leader, Kieran Marmion, Tiernan O’Halloran – need to soak up his proven skill, experience and knowledge of how to read the game.

That was clearly on Lam’s mind when he sealed the deal – and it is the only way it could be ‘sold’ to his paymaster, the IRFU. “One of our main priorities as we began recruitment for next season was to bring in a quality, experienced back to help nurture and mentor our young Irish qualified backs on and off the field. With the Rugby World Cup only a year away we also wanted someone who could help prepare and guide Connacht’s current international Robbie Henshaw,” said Lam.

“I don’t think I need to point out how huge it is to have Mils Muliaina as our first All Black coming to represent Connacht. The second ever All Black and the first ever back to reach 100 test matches is some achievement but what’s incredible about Mils is the passion and professionalism he brings whenever he plays and I know he will bring that in the Connacht jersey.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.