Seiuli settling in to life at Scotstoun

• 27 Nov 2019

After making the switch north from Super Rugby, Aki Seiuli is keenly anticipating his first action in a Glasgow Warriors jersey.

The
26-year-old prop arrived in Glasgow at the end of October, with a familiar face
helping him settle in his new surroundings.

“I’m staying
with Siua [Halanukonuka] at the minute – it might come as a bit of a surprise
but he’s actually quite a tidy person!” laughed Seiuli.

“I’ve got to
make sure I keep up my own standards and be tidy as well!

“He’s been
awesome – it’s been great to see him again and catch up. Hopefully he gets
through his injury soon and we can take to the field together for the Warriors.”

The former
Highlander was also quick to praise his new team-mates, and admits that he’s
still learning the ropes out on the training pitch.

“I’m settling
in well, absolutely,” said Seiuli.

“I’m
learning as I go at the moment! It’s quite full-on, but I’m just taking it task
by task and week by week. All the lads have been really considerate of me
though, which I really appreciate – all the moves and everything are second
nature to them by now, but they’ve really helped me to settle in and get up to
speed.

“The environment
here is really good, and the lads have all been really welcoming. I’m enjoying
my time here so far – it’s been awesome.”

Having also
previously helped Otago to the 2018 Ranfurly Shield, Seiuli’s move to Scotstoun
also marks the prop’s first taste of club rugby outside of his native New
Zealand. The man himself is relishing the opportunity, however, seeing the
switch as more than simply a rugby decision.

“I wanted to
travel and use rugby as an experience through which I could see the world,” he
explained.

“Glasgow
play a great brand of rugby, and that really drew me here. Having a fellow New
Zealander like Dave was a bonus too, as well as Siua already being here.”

The prop is amongst
those challenging for selection for Saturday night’s showdown with Leinster at
Scotstoun, a match which is expected to be played in front of a capacity crowd
in Glasgow’s west end. Seiuli himself is eager to make his first appearance in
a Glasgow shirt, with the Warrior Nation having already made quite the
impression on the man from Christchurch

“I’ve been
24^th man for the last couple of weeks, so that’s been great for me
in terms of learning the set piece calls and so on,” he said.

“It’s been
good to be in the mix and I’m loving it.

“I’m really
looking forward to getting out in front of the crowd here at Scotstoun. Hearing
them at the Sale Sharks game was awesome – they’re on another level, and the
atmosphere was incredible. I’m looking forward to running out and embracing
that atmosphere alongside the boys, and I just want to offer as much of an
impact as I can.”

Tickets for Saturday’s match are still available – to secure your seat at Scotstoun, click here.