CHICAGO: Blockbusting American number eight Samu Manoa is determined to prove a big hit at the World Cup -- in every sense -- as he prepares to make his tournament debut four years after missing out in New Zealand.
The 30-year-old forward, who joined European Champions Toulon earlier this year in a lucrative four-year deal, was denied the opportunity to play in the last World Cup because of contractual obligations with Northampton.
Since that disappointment, Manoa has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in rugby, and is looking forward to unleashing his formidable 6ft-7in 19-stone frame on opposition defences in England.
"I'm juiced about the World Cup," Manoa told AFP.
"It's been a long time. Unfortunately I missed the last one, but I think I'm ready for this one. I'm looking forward to it."
Manoa, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, has forged a reputation as one of the toughest tacklers in rugby, with videos of his bone-jarring greatest hits regularly posted on the Internet.
Manoa smiles sheepishly when talking about his love for the physical side of the sport.
"I think everybody enjoys it don't they?" he said.
"Everybody just wants to run over somebody or get the big hits in. I think that's the fun part of the game -- put hits in, run some people over and hopefully score some tries. It's part of the game, I enjoy it."
Manoa began playing rugby at high school and honed his craft at the San Francisco Golden Gate club before being snapped up by English Premiership side Northampton in 2011.
He rapidly prospered under the tutelage of Saints coaches Jim Mallinder and Dorian West, adding awareness to his raw power.
"They taught me a lot about the game that I didn't know much about," Manoa said.
"Growing up and for a long time, I used to just get the ball and run and just try to run everybody over. But there's much more to it than that."
Manoa caught the eye on Saturday with several thumping tackles in the US Eagles 47-10 defeat to Australia at Soldier Field.
If his life had panned out differently, Manoa may well have found himself turning out in the green and gold jersey of Australia in Chicago.
Wallabies legend Willie Ofahengaue is one of his uncles and tried to persuade him to move Down Under to pursue rugby when he was a youngster.
"He asked my dad to take me to Australia but I said 'Nah, I'm alright,'" Manoa recalled. "Last time I saw him was when I went to Tonga back in 2010."
After the World Cup, Manoa is looking forward to beginning a new life in the south of France amongst the star-studded ranks of Toulon.
"I'm really excited about the move," Manoa said.
"It's a good move and I'll get to play with a lot of world class players, people I used to watch on TV when I was little.
"And my family's happy -- it's warmer there than in England."
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