Although his name is rarely mentioned, he is undoubtedly one of the most important players at Stade Toulousain. Since his arrival from Connacht in 2018, Pita Ahki has never left the starting XV. As complete in attack as in defense, the Tongan center has established himself as one of the best in the world in his position. Discreet and silent in the media, he opened up to RMC Sport on his career and his challenges before challenging the UBB this Sunday. While he has won four Brennus Shields and two Champions Cups since his arrival, one title particularly stood out to Ahki: “We can talk about the double last year, but I think I have to put the first European title at number one. Particularly by the way we won it. We played away to Munster, away to Clermont. And then we played our semi-final here against Bordeaux. One, it was a difficult way to win this title and two, there was a historical aspect. Toulouse had never won in Munster before, I think. This is what the coach told us before the match. And it took a long time to also win in Clermont before that. So, for me, it remains a very good memory. »
“I have special players around me”
While he hopes to end his career in Toulouse, Pita Ahki has the luxury of playing in a three-quarter line made up of exceptional players. What he did not fail to emphasize: ” Exactly. I have special players around me too. And I’m grateful to play with them. I am lucky to be in Toulouse and with players like Romain (Ntamack), Blair (Kinghorn), Ange (Capuozzo), Pierre-Louis (Barassi), Paul (Costes), Thomas (Ramos) and all the others. We are so lucky with the forwards that we also have, who are there to give us good balls. It’s easier when your forwards do the work. You can’t really play when you’re going backwards. I’m very lucky to be in a good team like that. It’s a pleasure. It’s always a pleasure. You have to find it while you’re not too old! » The Tongan will once again be one of the main weapons of Stade Toulousain this Sunday against UBB, at the end of the fourth day of Top 14.
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To summarize
Pita Ahki looked back on his fondest memories with Stade Toulousain, he who arrived in 2018 from Connacht. The Tongan center three-quarter has become an essential part of the red and black squad.
