By Jonathan B Geddes

WESTERN Sydney Two Blues fullback Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong is fast emerging as one of the most exciting players in the Shute Shield.

After scoring a sensational 80-metre solo try from a kickoff against West Harbour the previous week, the 23-year-old New Zealand recruit backed that up with an eye-catching performance  in the Two Blues’ 48-47 loss to Warringah in a 14-try thriller at Rat Park on Saturday.

Like his NRL namesake Latrell Mitchell, Smiler-Ah Kiong asked questions of the defence every time he was involved in the play, coupling his blistering speed with great footwork.

Last year he won the New Zealand Sky Sports Fans Try of The Year with another spectacular five-pointer playing for King Country against West Coast in the Lochore Cup final.          

In an eventful afternoon on Saturday Smiler- Ah Kiong scored one try, gave the final pass for another scored by winger Hosea Saumaki  – and copped a yellow card for a high tackle.

LEARNING FROM THE BEST  

SMILER- Ah Kiong has the ideal mentor to help develop his game in Two Blues head coach Sailosi Tagicakibau, who represented Samoa as an outside back in three World Cups.

“He has a chat to me every week telling me what I can do better and full credit to him and (assistant coach) Travis Church – they are honest and tell you what you need to pick up,” Smiler Ah-Kiong said.

Tagicakibau said his fullback was a real competitor who wears his heart on his sleeve.

“He puts 100 per cent into everything,” he said. “He played decent today and I think he has a big future in front of him and we are happy to have him at the club.”

Tagicakibau said Smiler-Ah Kiong was better every week and if that carries on he could earn  himself a shot in Super Rugby.

“Definitely,” he said. “That’s something we want to do and provide a platform for him to develop his footy and get to that next level.”

 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

SMILER-Ah Kiong is a  player who slipped through the net of New  Zealand rugby – and the Kiwis loss has been the Two Blues gain.

He hails for the Hawks Bay, playing for the Barbarian Schoolboys, the New Zealand Schoolboy Sevens as well as representing King Country in the Highland Championship.

Tagicakibau and Church contacted Smiler-Ah Kiong and asked if he was interested in a move to Sydney this season. Church was well aware of Ah Kiong’s talent having coach him in New Zealand.

“And I just took the opportunity to come over for a fresh start,” he said.

“I am a boy from NZ and the All Black dream is always there but I wouldn’t mind turning out for a Super Rugby team here – and I just want to make myself proud and my family proud  as well.”

 FEELING BLUE

WITH a total of 95 points scored, the game lifted the excitement for the crowd – and the blood pressure of the coaches.

The Two Blues led 26-0 midway through the first half and 33-10 at the break.

Warringah took the lead for the first time 41-40 with12 minutes left to play.

While the Two Blues were full of enthusiasm, ill-discipline was an issue. At the start of the second half they were down to 13 men with two players yellow-carded.   

“We didn’t get the result we wanted today but it showed we are a fighting team – there is a very promising future for us,” Smiler-Ah Kiong said. “From week one you have seen improvements and we are building.”

As for his own performance, he paid credit to his teammates.

“It was just off the back of our forwards working hard and working hard for each other,” he said.

Tagicakibau could not hide his disappointment at the one that got away.

“I’m pretty gutted, it was there for us,” he said. “Just key moments of the game let us down.

“The Rats are a good side and if you give them those moments they will capitalise fully.

“But we will take heaps of positives out of it, we have to stay positive, the tournament doesn’t get any easier.

“We showed today we can compete with the best and I believe the Rats are the team to beat. They are top of the table for a reason.”