It's good to be back - Rodney So'oialo

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Rodney So'oialo's smile is back, but it took some convincing to make the big No8 take the necessary medicine.

During the Super 14 there was often a frown on the Hurricanes skipper's face as he arrived at training, hoodie up, head down, mind ticking.

There was clearly plenty playing on the 29-year-old's mind as the competition heaved toward its final stages. A genetic problem in his neck had become painful, but the veteran Wellington loose forward says it wasn't just his body that was struggling as the semifinals approached.

"Everything has become [more demanding]. There's a lot more meetings, the boys are getting bigger and faster, the contact is getting harder, so you do need that rest.

"But it's not so much just to get your body right, but to mentally make sure you want to keep doing it. You have to refresh your mind. Just like anything in life, if you keep doing the same things you are going to get bored of it."

So'oialo has been churning out back-to-back seasons for Wellington and the Hurricanes since 2001. He has missed only a handful of tests since his All Blacks debut, against Wales in 2002, and last year clocked up 14 tests.

A self-confessed workaholic, he says his mindset has always been to just carry on despite the signs. Uncharacteristic missed tackles marked several of his final few matches of the Super 14, but he was still reluctant when All Blacks coach Graham Henry suggested he take some time out last month.

"It's not an easy thing to do. I was discussing it with Ted [Henry] and the coaches before the team was announced and that was tough," he says. "It was tough to not be able to come back here with the boys, but in the long run you have to be a bit selfish and try to look after yourself. It's not only better for yourself, but also the team in the long run."

Even after agreeing to a break, which has seen him miss the three tests against France and Italy, So'oialo says it took time to realise his coaches had been right.

"It wasn't till a couple of weeks later. I was still disappointed I wasn't able to partake, but I was training quite hard and then the neck started to feel really good.

"I realised it was because of the couple of weeks I was off, and physically and mentally it was perfect. My weight went up, my strength got better and also mentally I was right."

THE spring is back in his step after spending time with his young family and stepping away from the professional rugby environment. He even managed an appearance for his club side, Wests, and says the "mud wrestling" at Kilbirnie Park had been a refreshing reminder of his grassroots.

"I'm feeling way better than I was toward the end of the Super 14. When you are playing you just keep going and try to do the best you can.

"If I was going to continue with the All Blacks season I would have gone in at 80 per cent rather than 100, so it was best I took the time off and try to get the body right.

"I will keep pushing myself that's something I've always wanted to do but in saying that, I'll manage my body a bit better. I think I'll be a bit more honest with the management, and if you aren't feeling too well speak up."

So'oialo believes rugby has become more physically demanding in recent years and requires a bigger, stronger body than when he started as a 95kg rookie.

He's pushed enough tin in the gym to get back up to 108kg this week, but says he'd shrunk to 102kg by the end of the Super 14.

That extra 6kg of muscle is key at test level and considering he will be marking 120kg Wycliff Palu tomorrow, he'll need every ounce in his 56th test.

So'oialo says one thing that hasn't wavered through the past month has been his desire to wear the black jersey.

"That's the weird thing about tests and playing for your country every game is huge.

"You can't lose focus and lose sight of what this jersey really means. For me, every time I put this jersey on, regardless of who you are playing you have to front up and do the jersey justice."

AT A GLANCE

Name: Rodney So'oialo Age: 29 Nickname: Rodders, Hot Rod Physical: 1.90m, 108kg Born: Moto'otua, Samoa Educated: Mana College Career: Wellington 2000- (52 games), Hurricanes 2001- (76 games), All Blacks 2002- (55 tests, four as captain)

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