1
'I'm not the only one': Auckland coach reveals COVID-19 struggles in emotional interview following Mitre 10 Cup semi-final win
By Online Editors
For many, 2020 has been a year to forget. With the Covid-19 pandemic spreading around the world, people have seen loved ones fall ill, and experienced job losses and a range of uncomfortable situations.
Auckland rugby coach Alama Ieremia has seen the impact of the virus at a number of levels and, after his side punched their ticket to the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final on Saturday with a 23-18 win over Waikato, was overcome with emotion.
"I had a brother that lost his job due to Covid-19; I've got a father who's struggled to stay alive – he's been crook for a long time; he's here in New Zealand, can't get back to Samoa, and he's been here supporting this team right from the start," Ieremia said.
"I'm not the only one – that's only my story. There are families that are obviously going under a lot of financial strain as well. I have staff that are working for free, they can't 100 per cent put bread and butter on the table for their families, and they've committed a lot to this team.
"It puts it in perspective what we do so I just want to say thanks to everyone and hope the boys do it for them."
Auckland will host the final at Eden Park next weekend, with free entry for fans wanting to get down and take in the action live.
Ieremia explained the union wanted to give back to the community.
"We certainly want to make sure this team gives back," Ieremia said. "I mentioned earlier in the week that the value of this team was really inspiring our community. It will be a very emotional week for a lot of the players because everyone's had a different story around their families, around club rugby, around friends that have been affected by Covid-19.
"We've all got our own stories, so I'd like to think that the team will probably repay a lot of that faith and support to make us do what we do. Hopefully we can say thanks to whoever turns up. For us to be there in the first place, there's probably a little more emotion around it.
"I'm very proud of the team and a lot of people behind the scenes; a lot unseen has gone on to achieve what we've done, and I'd like to think we can finish it on a high."
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Northampton sign legend's son to add a 'massive physical presence'
3
Harlequins confirm the 11 players leaving at the end of the season
4
Connacht confirm 11 end-of-season leavers, name nine new arrivals
5
Latest Comments
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
Go to comments