Tongan rock Taione is hidden gem
By Mark Stevens
24/1/20
Over the years Rob Baxter has never been afraid to dig into the depths of the RFU Championship to unearth a priceless gem.
Jack Yeandle, Tomas Francis, Mitch Lees and Harry Williams are all names that quickly spring to mind, but so too should be that of Tongan powerhouse, Elvis Taione, who has made quite an impression since arriving at Sandy Park in the summer of 2014.
Quiet and assuming off the field, on the field the 36-year-old hooker offers a robust and physical presence to the much-vaunted Chiefs pack of forwards.
Often content to put the greater needs of the team ahead of his own success, it’s little wonder that Baxter talks favourably of the former Jersey man as being the ‘perfect club-man’.
Although starting shifts have been few and far between during his stay in Devon, mainly due to the form of Yeandle and fellow No.2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, the support role Taione plays behind is one that cannot be under-estimated.
Indeed, it was only last month that Baxter singled Taione out for special praise following his side’s Gallagher Premiership win away to Leicester Tigers. Handed the starting jersey at Welford Road, the Nuku’alofa-born tyro did not disappoint, producing a sterling showing in the 31-22 victory.
“Coming from Rob, comments like that mean a lot,” said Taione. “Rob was one of the main reasons I decided to come here. What I do on the field, though, is for the team, not for myself. The culture we have created here at the Chiefs is like that of which I have been brought up on. Everyone is equal and it’s about doing the best for all of those that are around you.
“Every time I play, every time I train, I want to give my all and do my job to the best of my ability. I’m happy that Rob and the coaches recognise that because these are very exciting times for all of us at the club.”
As Taione points out, these are indeed halcyon days for the Chiefs. Not only do they sit top of the Premiership going into this weekend’s action, but they have already banked a home quarter-final in the Heineken Champions Cup, as well as home advantage in next week’s Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final.
“It is exciting times,” says Taione. “The reason we play and train as hard as we do is to get to these big games. It takes a lot of hard work every week, but the guys here stay pretty humble and they know what is expected of them.
“I know there is still a lot of the season still to go, but the sky’s the limit for this team. As a group I don’t think we’re satisfied with what we have done, there is more in us, and we want to keep pushing on.”
That seasonal task continues tomorrow afternoon with the visit of Sale Sharks, opponents the Chiefs have already faced twice this season in the Champions Cup. Although victorious on both occasions, Taione is well aware of the threat posed by Steve Diamond’s side, who themselves have aspirations of being amongst the Premiership play-off mix come the end of the season.
“Whenever you play Sale you know it’s going to be a tough, physical game,” he warned. “Personally, I like that. I like the confrontation and the physicality. What we have to do, though, is get our game plan in place, stick to task and go out and deliver it as best we can.
“In the Premiership, if you don’t turn up mentality and don’t give it your all, that’s when you will come unstuck. Not only will you be letting yourself down but, more importantly, you’ll be letting your team-mates down.”
And it’s that togetherness within the Chiefs squad that Taione believes will help drive the club onwards and upwards this season and beyond.
“Probably the biggest thing I enjoy about being here is the togetherness we have as a group,” he explained. “Whether it’s going for a coffee, bus trips, going out together, everyone has time for one another. It’s not just senior players doing their bit and academy players doing their thing, we’re all in it together and working for the same cause.
“If anyone tried to be a ‘big-dog’ – not that we have any – they would soon be put in their place. For us to be successful, you have to have that same buy-in from everyone in the squad. As I said earlier, in my culture, to be respected, you have to earn your respect!”
And one man who Taione says is really gaining respect, not just at club level, but also at international level, is fellow forward Cowan-Dickie, whose current on-field form has been rewarded with selection again into the England squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
“He’s not just on fire, he’s red-hot chilli fire,” joked Taione. “I’m so glad for him. Training and playing alongside him every week, you see how good he really is. When I first arrived at the club, you could see he had real potential to go all the way and now he’s achieving that.
“I don’t know if going to the World Cup last year or that he’s going to be a dad, it has really kick-started him. Whatever it is, it’s clearly working. He’s a great guy, as are all the boys here, so it’s great to see him kicking on like he is.”