Sport

Epi-sized gamble is right for Quins

Chris Jones|Rugby Correspondent
13 April 2012

Dean Richards knows there were many raised eyebrows in English rugby when Harlequins announced they were bringing Epi Taione, the controversial Tongan powerhouse, back to the Guinness Premiership.

The 6ft 4in Taione carries some of the heaviest "baggage" in the sport after a career that has taken him around the world and in front of too many disciplinary hearings.

Given that Quins are attempting to steady the ship after three of their players - David Strettle, Danny Care and Mike Brown - were embroiled in off-the-field controversy during England's summer tour of New Zealand, adding Taoine to the mix appears a major gamble.

After leaving Newcastle to sign for Sale in 2005, Taione was:

banned for 18 weeks after admitting biting Munster No8 Denis Leamy.

thrown out by South African side Natal Sharks after headbutting Hurricanes' Jeremy Thrush in April.

banned for a dangerous tackle on Thomas Waldrom when playing for Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup match against New Zealand Maori.

Patently, Richards, the Quins director of rugby, could have his hands full, but he said: "There was no question in my mind about signing Epi because he is a fantastic footballer. I know eyebrows were raised but he is capable of having a major impact on the game and his influence on the squad could be massive.

"I believe it is a great signing for Quins. There have been two or three unfortunate incidents in a decade of rugby and I know that he has learnt from those lesson and has something to prove in the Premiership."

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Richards knows Taione, 29, is still short of peak fitness and insists the forward or back is trying to put that right in double quick time.

He added: "Epi needs to get into shape and once he is, he will have a huge impact on our game."

Taione is far from a wild man who only courts controversy - despite evidence to the contrary. He has a great sense of humour and helped generate much needed sponsorship money for Tonga in 2007 by changing his name by deed poll to Paddy Power in honour of the bookmakers putting up the cash.

Before Tonga played England, he tried to get all of the Tonga players to dye their hair bright green but organisers stepped in and the colour disappeared.

Most recently, he put together two all-star teams to celebrate the coronation of his country's new king while also raising money for his diabetes charity and rugby development.

His time at Newcastle is remembered by team-mates as featuring more drinking exploits than is expected of a professional rugby player. Taoine is older and, hopefully, wiser now and admits his past failings blighted his career.

Taoine, who has also played in Japan, said: "I still love to enjoy myself but I have got a second chance in England and I don't intend to waste it.

"The Premiership is the hardest competition in the world and I am looking forward to getting stuck in.

"Hopefully, my trouble with the laws of the game are behind me and I can make sure I am not on the receiving end of anything like that again. Moving to Quins is amazing for me."

With Quins also signing All Black No10 Nick Evans along with Neil McMillan (Ulster), Gonzalo Tiesi (Irish) and Waisea Luveniyali (Fiji Warriors), Richards has assembled a stronger squad this season and since Heineken Cup rugby looms, Richards needs Taione to keep his temper and pull his weight.