The Sports Interview: Ireland’s rugby nomad

Galway-born rugby super-fan Luke O’Callaghan’s in-terest in the game has led him to some strange places. A playing career which began at his local Shannonside club eventually landed him in Thailand, where he pulled on the jersey of the Kazakhstani national team for a match against India.

The 27-year-old’s bizarre journey was tracked by a film crew, and the resultant documentary – Rugby Nomad, narrated by Irish rugby player Denis Hickie – is set to air next month on Setanta Sports as part of the station’s build-up to the Rugby World Cup. Metro Eireann caught up with the globetrotting player – who has just moved to Russia to work for the national rugby union – last week.

Has rugby always played a big role in your life?
I played a lot of sport in school and Shannon has a great sporting tradition. I played soccer, basketball and was big into swimming as a teenager. When I started playing rugby, I gradually became engrossed in the game, and by the time I was 17 I was only playing rugby.

What level did you play at when you were living in Ireland?
I have been lucky enough to play in Ireland at various levels. I started with St Senan’s, the local club in Shannon, Co Clare. When I was about 13 I moved to Garryowen, where I played up to U-20 before moving to Trinity, where I played for the seconds from time-to-time.

I’ve also had small stints with Suttonians and Bective Rangers in Dublin for their seconds. Unfortunately, work commitments and injury hampered my career when I moved to higher-level rugby.

What do you enjoy most about it?
What I like about rugby is the people. Through my career in rugby I have made many friends and had a chance to travel. Rugby is so inclusive, and that’s what’s unique about it wherever you go.

The physicality is something I enjoy too, but there is much more to rugby than pure physicality – everyone has something to offer the game and the game has something to offer everyone.

So how did you come to find yourself in Kazakhstan?
I studied Russian at Trinity, and a friend of mine had an uncle who had a business in Kazakhstan. He offered me a work placement and off I went. I always had an interest in that part of the world; it was the hub for the Soviet space program, so I was happy to go. I’ve been travelling back and forth to Kazakhstan for almost seven years.

What did you work at while there?
I had a few different jobs in Kazakhstan – I was a cultural liaison in oil and gas, an English teacher and eventually a rugby coach and translator. I ended up as the development manager for Central Asia with the Kazakhstan Rugby Union.

What are the people like?
The people are fantastic. Of course I am a bit biased due to all of my in-laws being from that part of the world! They are very hospitable and have very active lifestyles. They enjoy nature and are very harmonious in general.

How popular is rugby in Kazakhstan?
Rugby is growing in popularity all over the world and this trend is reflected in Kazakhstan.
As there is very little amateur sport in Kazakhstan, it is hard to develop rugby as a sport of the masses. The level is quite high, but nothing compared to the top tier in Ireland.

I reckon our national team would give AIL 1 teams a run for their money, though. Half of the Kazakhstan national team play in the professional league in Russia, and recently two of our players were picked to play for the Asian Barbarians against Japan.

Was it difficult to find a club?
No, I simply picked up the phone and contacted the union. They put me in touch with a club and I rocked up for training. The rest is history!

Once you did, would you say it helped you integrate into Kazakhstani life?
It did in a lot of ways. They play tough in Kazakhstan and so you have to prove yourself to people first. The guys in the team were a bit closed in the beginning, but with time we became great friends. I was a bit of a novelty at first – I can just imagine a Kazakhstani playing in an Irish team!

Rugby’s inclusiveness is unique, though, and it took no time at all to settle in. Being married to someone from Kazakhstan and being able to speak the languages helped a lot more, but in the national team I really feel at home.

When you got the call up to the national team, did it feel strange pulling on the jersey of a country other than your own?
It felt a bit strange, I have to admit, but I was very proud the first time I played for Kazakhstan. I was incredibly nervous too. There might not be a Lansdowne roar when we play, but you are still on the national level and expectations are high.

Luckily for my nerves, we were playing India in Thailand as part of the 2002 Asian Championship, and we took them apart, 89–10, so when I came on the pressure was gone. I managed to set up a try and make one big tackle, but I don’t remember a lot else.

The one negative experience I have had was in Sri Lanka, the last game I played. We were subjected to all sorts of abuse by a hostile crowd and had stones and even bottles thrown at us. Most of all, the result was what disappointed me. When you watch Rugby Nomad you will see why.

What other countries have you played against?
I’ve played against India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Guam. Most games have been at home in Almaty, Kazakhstan, but I have travelled to Sri Lanka, India and Thailand to play with ‘the Nomads’.

So could you still get another call-up?
I hope so! We are now in the top tier of Asia, with Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Arabian Gulf. Next year we have some big games, and I met with the national coach recently to discuss my conditioning programme. It will be a long winter! I’m currently in training with Slava Rugby Club in Moscow.

What is your fondest memory of your time there?
Without question it would be my wedding. It was such a unique experience, with my friends and family around me. But if it is rugby, it would have to be playing in my first club tournament, where I scored eight tries in one game and no one had a notion of who I was! My mates in Ireland never believe me!

How did you come to be the subject of a documentary?
Rugby Nomad was born in a pizzeria! I was working with Ross Killeen in a restaurant in Dublin and we got talking one day. Ross is a talented film-maker and approached me with the idea. I liked the idea of doing something a little bit different so we decided to go for it.

Did you enjoy making it?
It was a good experience, but it was very challenging. Ross and myself did it off our own bat and received little or no financial help. I didn’t have to do a lot other than give my time, but Ross put in an incredible amount of blood, sweat and tears. Amazingly, it’s been three years in the making and a long road to travel, but I am excited about the finale.

I believe you’re now working for the Rugby Union of Russia. Is that somewhere you can see yourself living permanently?
Well, I have just started but the position is a permanent one. I’d like to see my projects come to fruition, and be there when Russia take to the field down in New Zealand in 2011.
On the other hand, I am keen to move back to Ireland one day and live on the coast. I miss the sea most of all. I’ve always had a soft spot for Kazakhstan too, so you never know where I might end up.

The full story of Luke’s rugby adventures will be told in Rugby Nomad, showing on Setanta Sports on Saturday 1 September at 9pm