By Paul Smith 
Coventry Rugby followers have experienced something of a case of déjà vu during the last few weeks while watching powerhouse centre Daf-Rhys Tiueti play a starring role in their team’s unbeaten start to the league season.
It is almost two decades since Daf’s father David performed with similar distinction in Cov’s midfield and the former Tongan international who now coaches in East Anglia looked on proudly while his 23-year-old son made an instant impact at the club he joined from league rivals Nottingham.
Combining modesty with rugby talent is seemingly also something of a family trait and as a result Tiueti junior is keen to move quickly on from questions about being named as Cov’s October player-of-the-month.
“I’m obviously very pleased to have been recognised with the award although our good start to the season hasn’t really been down to any individuals as it’s been a team effort,” he says.
“For me coming to a new club over the summer it has been clear how everything has clicked into place with the players and the coaching staff and how well everyone works together.”
Tiueti joined Nottingham directly from Cardiff Met University and 12 months later is quickly seeing benefits from being a fully-professional rugby player for the first time.
“Going from part-time rugby into being full-time has been a massive change which has already been really positive for my development,” he says.
“It really helps you build bonds with other players and also the coaches have the time to really help you with specific aspects of your game.
“I also feel a lot fitter as I’m now training a lot more than I did as a part-timer. Work rate is a massive part of what we’re about as a squad and the fitness really helps with that.
“I was a community coach in the day when I was playing at Nottingham and training in the evening after coaching all day could be quite hard whereas I get a lot more downtime here.”
Through a combination of circumstances Cov boss Alex Rae has undertaken a complete overhaul of his midfield during the last 12 months. Will Rigg and Will Wand both caught the eye of Premiership scouts during last season and after Lucas Titherington departed early in 2025 Ollie Betteridge also left the Butts Park Arena in June.
Tiueti has therefore been required to quickly develop an understanding with fellow new recruits Oli Morris, who unfortunately then suffered a hand injury and Tom Hitchcock with whom he conveniently also shares a house in Earlsdon.
“Tom and I have got a very competitive Monopoly Deal card series going on,” he jokes, “and I’m definitely on top there at the moment!
“I didn’t know Tom or Oli before arriving at Coventry and they’re very different players. Tom has lovely hands as well as being a very strong ball-carrier and I’ve really enjoyed playing outside him.
“It was tough on Oli getting injured after making such a good start to the season but hopefully he’ll be fit again fairly soon.
“In the meantime Tom and I have pretty much played 80 minutes as a pair in every game so we’ve been a bit sore at times but when the team is winning you tend not to think about that too much.
“I don’t really mind whether I play at inside or outside centre, and it’s useful to be comfortable in both.
“You’re closer to the action at no.12 and have to do more direct carrying to try and get the team over the gain-line whereas you’re more in the wider channels at outside centre with a lot more space to think about in both attack and defence.
“I’m happy to do whatever the team needs me to.”
Tickets for Cov’s home game against Hartpury on Saturday December 7th can be purchased at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
