FLANKER Andrew Durutalo believes he is now ready for the ‘end goal’ in his career – to play Premiership rugby.
The powerful back row, who arrived at Sixways last month from Ealing Trailfinders, played the full 80 minutes of Warriors’ losing bonus point matches against Sale Sharks and Harlequins in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
The 30-year-old, who is contracted until the end of the season with Warriors, believes he has showcased his ‘dynamic’ attacking abilities in the tournament and hopes he has done enough for the coaches to select him for his Premiership debut against Northampton Saints at Sixways on Saturday.
“I grew up playing rugby at a very young age in Fiji before going over to Japan (to study) and later was capped by the Eagles (USA),” said the New York-born flanker.
“After a couple of seasons with the Eagles I signed a Super Rugby contract with the Sunwolves, but I’d always wanted to come to the UK and try-out rugby here after three of my high school friends came over to play in the Premiership.
“Ealing gave me that opportunity and I enjoyed my time playing for them, but my end goal was to play in the Premiership, so when Worcester offered me a contract I took it. I’m very fortunate.
“There’s a lot of difference (in the Premiership), you have to step to the next level. I’m trying to learn fast and adapt as quickly as possible.
“For now (my contract) is until the end of the season, so I have to prove myself week in, week out.
“The Anglo-Welsh was a good opportunity to showcase what I can do and prove that I’m capable of playing at the highest level.
“As a back row I’m dynamic and can offer myself in attack as a ball carrier.”
Durutalo, who represented the USA at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and was part of the USA’s Sevens side at the Rio Olympic Games, praised his fellow Eagles’ teammate Joe Taufete’e for helping him to settle in at Sixways.
“Joe’s a good guy, he’s helped me a lot, especially with running through all the plays such as set piece and line-outs,” he said.
“We’re trying to learn stuff (at Worcester) we can bring back to the Eagles.”