Samoan the driving force behind Gala’s prominence club scene

Sports Journalist

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Anybody inclined to doubt the value of experience should spend a few moments chatting to Opeta Palepoi, the captain of Premiership high-fliers Gala, whose peripatetic career explains why he has made such a coruscating impact since arriving at Netherdale.

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He has won 48 caps for Samoa, plied his trade in the professional ranks at Glasgow Warriors, the Border Reivers and Harlequins, and represented his country at the 2003 World Cup with the same resolve he has demonstrated for Gala, in propelling the newly-promoted club to second in the table, narrowly behind their traditional rivals, Melrose.

Palepoi was among the try-scorers again at the weekend in an emphatic win over Stirling County and George Graham, the Gala coach, said yesterday it was difficult to overstate the benefit of having the 35-year-old forward in his side.“It’s huge, it’s incalculable. Opeta’s a fine player and a fine person, and his contribution has been one of the main reasons why we have gone well this season,” said Graham. “He has achieved a lot in his career, but he is very humble, and he is a calming influence on the younger members of the squad. They don’t just see him as a colleague, but as a friend and I am privileged to have him, because he is one of life’s good guys.”Palepoi seemed embarrassed by such lavish praise, preferring to concentrate on the youthful exuberance of the current Gala personnel, who have savoured victory in seven of their first eight matches.“We have been together for the last few years and there is a terrific team spirit among the boys. They are all determined to keep improving, so things have gone well, and though we don’t want to get ahead our ourselves, I have really enjoyed my time at Gala so far,” said Palepoi, who has no illusions about the gulf between the Scottish grassroots game and the paid ranks. “It’s a step down, but we have noticed the difference in standards since we came up last season, and, with somebody like George in charge, there is never going to be any shortage of professionalism. We know that we have to keep pushing forward, but the squad are ambitious and there is a buzz around the club.”As one of life’s indefatigable battlers, Palepoi shares Graham’s philosophy that there are no easy contests on the Scottish circuit and the Borderers will be wary of relegation-threatened Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place next weekend.But, as somebody who has performed on the sport’s grandest stage, he is also relishing the imminent World Cup final and believes that New Zealand will surge to victory for the first time since 1987.“I know that the French, historically, should never be written off, but I really believe the All Blacks will run away with it and the match could be finished by half time,” said Palepoi. “France were lucky to get to the semi-finals, let alone the final, and I just think New Zealand will come out and will have too much for their opponents, especially in front of their own supporters. I might be wrong, but I don’t think so.”Palepoi speaks softly, insistently, persuasively, but has the knack for transforming himself into a raging bull when he crosses the whitewash. Little wonder that with him and Graham operating in tandem, Gala have been a revelation this autumn.Kenny Murray has been forced to adapt to life after the departure of several talismanic performers -- including former captain, Damien Kelly, and gifted centre, Mark Bennett -- at Millbrae this summer, but there have been indications recently that Ayr’s new breed are up to the challenge.They were impressive in beating Boroughmuir by 37-17 on Saturday and, despite trailing Melrose and Gala, the club have never lacked enterprise or commitment and will be confident of offering an increasing threat, especially at home.Stewart’s Melville seem to be the only club in the league, who are capable of transcending the dog-eat-dog nature of their division. The Edinburgh side maintained their 100% record with a hard-fought 26-22 victory, away to Jed-Forest at Riverside Park, but results elsewhere confirmed that all the other teams are capable of beating one another.Hillhead-Jordanhill, for instance, prevailed against Watsonians, while struggling Kelso thrashed Selkirk 35-3, and with some sides fighting to cling on to their survival, we can anticipate a battle royal this winter.

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Samoan the driving force behind Gala’s prominence club scene

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