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| Maupin (left) with fellow St. Mary's grad Nick Wallace (right). |
TIAR: How did the move to Trinity come about?
Tim Maupin: I was training at the OTC when I got a call from my old college coach Tim O'Brien who had just gotten off the phone with Tony Smeeth saying that there was an opportunity for me to play rugby at Trinity and work/live at Blackrock College.
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TIAR: There is a lot of competition for the Eagles out on the wings. How much of this move was about solidifying your place and how do you stand out from the rest?
TM: There is a lot of competition at wing, which in my mind is a very good thing not only for myself but for the team. Means everyone who can play at the position is going into camps in shape and reading to push everyone to there limit. This move is huge for helping to earn a spot on the world cup roster, I had a tough summer tour getting into the swing of things because I hadn't been playing any 15s games while I was down at the OTC. So coming to Trinity I am playing games every weekend against high quality opponents and am able to train 3-4 times a week getting myself more conditioned and prepared for future tours if I am selected to go.
TIAR: The season is still young but what has the experience been like for at the club?
TM: The experience has been great, the guys on the team are a good talented group of guys that show up everyday ready to work hard push each other. The coach is very good as well, Tony Smeeth has been a huge help improving my overall rugby game and intellect.
TIAR: Trinity obviously have an American connection. How much have you been able to talk to Pierce Dargan and Connor Kearns about playing for the U.S. again?
TM: They are both two young solid players with a lot of potential, they are both eager and dedicated to getting back into the mix with the USA teams and I wouldn't be surprised if they are at future camps. The only advice I've really given them is to just keep showing up and working hard and sooner or later you will get your chance and when you do you have to make the most of it, its something they already know.
TIAR: Are you just playing rugby over there or are you working/going to school?
TM: I am working at Blackrock college at the boarding school as a housemaster and a coach and then playing rugby with Trinity.
TIAR: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
TM: My goals are to help Trinity win games and hopefully get promoted at the end of the year, play good rugby and expand my game and continue to work toward my goal of making and playing in the world cup.
TIAR: How important is this upcoming fall series for the Eagles?
TM: I think every series the Eagles have is important since we don't get much time together, but with the world cup less than a year away I feel like this is the series where we have to start playing more consistently as whole a team and start getting ourselves mentally/physically ready. But I'm not worried about any of that, we have great leaders on the team with Todd, Chris, and Scott. I'm more focused on if I get invited on the tour making sure I am in peak condition to help the team out.