The Newcastle full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo tells a revealing story about his time as an academy player that taught him the difference between rugby in England and New Zealand.
“I’d had a year at Saracens so I was learning the kicking game,” he says, recalling the southern hemisphere winter of 2018 that he spent training with Wellington and playing for Tawa RFC. “In one of my first games the opposition kicked it and trapped me in our 22. I’ve kicked for touch, a pretty good kick I thought, and suddenly everyone on the team was shouting at me: ‘Why are you kicking it? Why are you kicking it?’
“That was the last time I did that. Their mindset is to have ball in hand and run from anywhere. It was a stark difference to the way Saracens played. [The scrum-half Richard] Wigglesworth would just put it up every time.”
Newcastle sit bottom of the Prem, winless after seven matches, before Saturday’s trip to Bristol. But still things are looking up. Red Bull’s summer takeover has assured long-term investment and access to an extensive sporting infrastructure. The plan is to win trophies.
On Tuesday a statement signing was announced in the form of the Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu, capped 14 times by the All Blacks, who joins next summer. There will be more to come. “It’s exciting,” Obatoyinbo says of the nascent transformation under well-resourced owners. “I’m just trying to do the best I can and be part of it going forward. There’s already been a lot of change and they look like they’re willing to do anything to get to the top.”
The head coach, Alan Dickens, revealed two players travelled to Red Bull’s athlete performance centre in Salzburg last week, for injury rehabilitation and to learn more about the operation. Obatoyinbo is seeing positive change. “There’s more staff: [senior assistant coach] Stephen Jones has been a good addition,” he says. “He knows exactly what he’s talking about. It’s more professional, higher standards … there’s been a lot of improvement and everyone’s buying into it. Hopefully we’ll see more rewards soon.”
The 27-year-old, born in Ormskirk to an English mother and Nigerian father, has plenty going on besides rugby. His Wikipedia page describes him as a “keen artist” but that hardly does justice to the quality of the work. He is busy with his latest commission, laid out before him as we talk on Zoom, and aims to hold an exhibition next year.
“As long I’m not too tired from training I’ll try to do a bit of art,” Obatoyinbo says. “If it’s just a blank canvas or piece of paper sometimes I don’t feel up for it. But when I get the ball rolling it’s fun – I can’t stop. I need to have energy to be creative and put pencil, charcoal, or brush to paper.
“It’s good to see other people pursuing interests outside rugby. [The Bath flanker] Miles Reid has a clothing brand. Why not? It prepares you for life after. I play a bit of golf when the weather’s all right, but mainly it’s art.”
Golf is something else Obatoyinbo excels at. He considered turning professional before signing his first contract with Saracens, and still plays off scratch. “I started when I was six,” he says. “I played a lot with my dad: we lived in Egypt on a golf course. I represented West Africa in the Junior Open and made the cut. At the time I was at Harrow [school] so was only training once a week. I really considered it but played more rugby and got offered a contract: it was more of a guarantee.”
Obatoyinbo signed for Newcastle in 2022 and was joined in the summer by his younger brother, Harrison, returning from a spell in France with Toulon and Stade Montois. They lined up together for the first time in last week’s Challenge Cup victory against the Lions. “It was so fun,” Obatoyinbo says. “I’ve never played with him, even at school … I know how good he is. I’m a bit more experienced and if he doesn’t get something right, I’m the first person to try and make sure he does it right next time.”
As for the move north, having lived in Shepherd’s Bush while at Saracens, Obatoyinbo says: “I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It’s a slower life but people here love their sport. We’ve lost quite a few games over the last few years but the fans keep coming, keep showing support. And the area’s nice. I think there’s a bit of a misconception about the north, about Newcastle. I love it.”
He is also relishing a chance to face Bristol’s all-court game at Ashton Gate. “It’s a different game to prepare for because they’re willing to play from anywhere,” he says. “You’ve got to be alert to everything, especially in the back three, with the running and kicking threats they have.”
Long-term, though, Obatoyinbo hopes Red Bull’s ownership will offer a chance to repay loyal fans. “Since I arrived we’ve had some bad losses,” he says. “But the times we do win, just to see the buzz around the stadium – it’s a feeling you want. The fans are so supportive. I’d like to give them regular wins to repay them.” Bristol won’t be easy, but things are moving in the right direction.
