Frano Botica will always be remembered as one of New Zealand’s best dual code internationals but his time at Llanelli RFC in the late 1990’s remains a controversial talking point. The former All Black was earning Premier League football wages in Welsh rugby 24 years ago with the deal costing Llanelli £14,000 a game. Welsh rugby’s first superstar signing chats to Steffan Thomas about his time at Stradey Park.
Having made his name with the All Blacks before figuring prominently for a Wigan side who are still considered one of the greatest outfits in English sporting history, Botica became one of the first global superstars to ply his trade in Welsh rugby.
Llanelli hit the headlines when they tempted the famous New Zealander to join from Orrell, who themselves had originally signed him from rugby league.
Here was a player who was ahead of his time but over the years his name has become a byword for the financial difficulties the Scarlets faced in the mid to late 1990’s. Finally the talented outside-half lifts the lid on his time in Wales.
“I was actually speaking to the original sponsor of Llanelli who ended up not delivering on his promises,” said Botica.
“I was at Castleford in Super League and I had a few games for Orrell in rugby union when Llanelli came in and paid a huge transfer fee. Llanelli were very ambitious and they were a serious player in European club rugby at the time so I decided to join them with their history also appealing.
“This local businessman said he was selling a business and had promised to invest a significant amount of money into Llanelli. While he was in the process of selling his business Llanelli were buying in players.
“He ended up not being very trustworthy and I never got the money I was promised from him. Stuart Gallagher then became involved in negotiations and he was great.
“Gareth Jenkins was the coach at the time and he was very good with me. He’s a big character and extremely passionate. I really enjoyed working under him.”
While Botica is unfairly associated with the financial turmoil which proceeded his time at Stradey Park it is easy to forget just how much of an influence he had on Welsh rugby. Here was a unique talent who brought a different level of professionalism to domestic rugby in Wales and who was known to win games almost single-handedly.
And while he loved playing in full-blooded Welsh derbies it was the big Heineken Cup clashes against French clubs which really left its mark.
He said: “The games that really stood out was when we played French clubs in the Heineken Cup. Man they were brutal!
“The French players used to say a few abusive things. I could speak French so I knew what they were saying.
“There was one game against Pau at Stradey Park which was pretty mental. There was abuse thrown around and punches going everywhere.
“I actually got headbutted in that game so it was pretty rough! Back in those days they did whatever they liked.
“They’d kick you, punch you and they were very dirty. The Welsh derbies were also an eye opener.
“The rivalry was very strong and they were extremely passionate. I’m not sure what it’s like today but in those days Welsh rugby was extremely tribal.”
And Botica also played a significant role in the development of future Wales and British & Irish Lions outside-half Stephen Jones who is now part of Wayne Pivac’s backroom staff.
He said: “Me and Stephen used to hang out together all the time. I used to help him and teach him how to kick.
“I helped him find a kicking style which suited him and it worked. We became very good friends and he was almost like my shadow.
“I tried to help him become the best player he could be. I’m not saying I made the guy but I certainly worked really hard to put him on the right track.
“Stephen was as student of the game and would ask numerous questions. He was one of the hardest working players.
“He also played outside me at inside centre on a few occasions. I saw the potential in him.
“Some people have some amazing talent and waste it while others have a little bit of talent and have to work on it. Stephen was one of those guys who had some talent but worked hard on his craft and his skill to become the outstanding player he was.
“He had huge drive and passion and it made me proud to see how well he did as a player and now as a coach.”
Unfortunately, through no fault of his own, Botica reportedly cost Llanelli £550,000 over two seasons, which was an astronomical amount of money in those days. While the Scarlets recently posted a profit, at the time of Botica’s exit the club were left on the brink of financial ruin with the WRU having to buy Stradey Park for £1.25M before mortgaging it back to the club while new chairman Huw Evans also provided an injection of cash.
You might expect Botica to look back with bitterness but he holds no resentment against his former employers and would rather be remembered for what he did on the pitch.
He said: “I was at Llanelli for 18 months and even though I absolutely loved most of my time there I left pretty unhappy which wasn’t great.
“The club came to me and said look we don’t think we can pay you anymore and I had to live off my savings. Half of the money I was getting paid was held back.
“They said they might be able to pay me or they might not. They weren’t sure.
“They told me if I wanted to leave I could leave. I saw the writing on the wall.
“The new sponsor coming in (Huw Evans) didn’t want to inherit old debt. I ended up leaving Wales having lost a lot of money.
“I want to make absolutely clear that I don’t blame most at Llanelli. I was extremely close to Stuart Gallagher who was a good friend of mine while the players and all the staff were great.
“It was just one individual who messed up badly and left everyone down.”