I want to win title before I leave Bristol - Luatua

FEW overseas signings have had a more lasting impact in the Premiership than Steve Luatua who looks like finishing his career at Bristol seven years after joining the club.

- PAUL REES

The 33-year-old back rower, capped by New Zealand and Samoa, last week signed a new contract at Ashton Gate and said he wanted to sign off with the Premiership trophy.

Bristol were in the Championship when Luatua joined them, swapping the pristine pitches in the southern hemisphere for mudheaps, but under head coach Pat Lam, who was in charge of the Blues in Auckland when Luatua signed for the franchise, they were soon moving upwards.

“I remember in my second game for the Bears being up to my knees in mud at Cornish Pirates,” said Luatua. “It was quite a humbling experience. It was a frustrating time because we were not functioning well, but it has been an amazing experience here and I am really happy to be continuing.”

Luatua has captained Bristol for most of his time at the club, but this season Fitz Harding took over the armband, leaning on the vast experience of the former All Black who played for Samoa in last year’s World Cup.