Rugby brought Alex Nankivell to Munster, the people are keeping him there
Munster Deal Around: Signed Picture: ©inpho/laszlo Two Nankivell (left) New Sticking Alex Has Year With A Geczo
It did not take long for Alex Nankivell to realise he wanted to sign on with Munster for the long haul and just weeks into his second season the New Zealand centre was more than happy to commit for a further two years.
The new contract, announced this week, extends his stay to the summer of 2027, past his 30th birthday, and as he prepared to face Stade Francais at Thomond Park this week, the abrasive former Chiefs and Maori All Blacks midfielder spoke of his delight at being able to hang around in red.
“Yeah, very happy…that's what I wanted,” Nankivell said. “Like I don't want to come for a couple of years and contribute to a team then have to leave again when you’re just starting to feel comfortable around the whole game and getting your confidence around it.
“So I was stoked when the coaches came to me and said they wanted to keep me and it was going to work out. Yeah, I’m very happy to be staying here.
“It's the people really. When I was at the Chiefs it was the same thing, the people always made my experience and the relationships that you make, they're always the most important thing at the end of the day.
“Obviously the rugby is important, but when I look back at it in 10 years’ time, there'll be a few rugby memories and then a lot of memories around relationships and the people that helped me and I've spent a lot of time with.
“So just coming, like the early days, the first month or so, the people here at Munster, the boys, the management and then, like the community of Munster was just amazing to me. The amount of messages I got, it was kind of overwhelming a bit, but credit to the Irish people, they're very hospitable and make you feel welcome.
“So the transition was easy and that's probably the main thing and then Munster with the history and tradition and the group that we've got and the direction that we see our team going is pretty exciting. So I want to be a part of that.”
When Munster signed Nankivell ahead of last season they were fortunate the South Islander’s ear was in range of some influential voices that made taking the considerable leap to European rugby feel more comfortable.
“It's just the unknown, being so far away and so disconnected from the northern hemisphere when you are back in New Zealand.
“I guess it makes it hard to know what it's going to be like, but then hearing stories, from Dougie Howlett, I met him and we were having a few beers one night after a game. I'm hearing stories from him, Rhys Marshall and then obviously John Ryan when he came to the Chiefs, that kind of got me excited, gave me a taste of like what the culture is and it seemed pretty similar to back home and where I'd been.
“So, probably didn't know how it's going to go but it’s worked out really well.”
Nankivell’s second season has been hampered by a hip injury but his try-scoring comeback in the 17-10 URC win over the Lions last Saturday offered a reminder of how important a component of the Reds’ backline he has become and he is clearly enjoying being a part of it.
“Yeah, definitely. And probably the best thing about it is it's actually so different to New Zealand and I probably wasn't expecting it to be that different.
“Obviously with the weather and stuff like that, I thought that would play a part and it has, but in terms of like what the coaches offer to us is amazing, it's world class.
“So to be able to start again and learn a lot from these guys that have a different view on the game and teach it differently has been very cool and I probably haven't still fully gotten used to that. Like I'm still adjusting and still trying to change my habits to what they want. So it has been cool in terms of that and I guess the weather you can be a bit more abrasive and when you're at Thomond Park and the Munster supporters are behind you, it's pretty easy to run into a couple of shoulders or try and hit someone.
“So yeah, it's definitely cool for my rugby learning and my rugby experience.”
Also welcome for Nankivell is that this Saturday’s clash with Stade offers the chance of a catch-up with former Chiefs team-mate, scrum-half Brad Weber, hot on the heels of a reunion with a couple of fellow Tasman Mako alumni, Will Jordan and David Havili, when the All Blacks were in Dublin last month.
“Yeah, it's so cool. It's similar to catching up with the All Blacks boys, like you're seeing a guy that you know so well and played with for so many years, just to see how he's getting on in his journey and we're kind of in a similar position. We're so far away from our support networks doing a similar thing so it's nice to be able to talk and share our journeys, I guess.
"And yeah, it's just always nice seeing a familiar face too. So it was the same last year when we played Toulon, just catching up with Leicester Faainga’anuku. It's always nice but then sometimes it makes you miss home a little bit more, but that's all right.”