Thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk: A SCHOOL rugby coach is preparing for his big screen debut in the new Clint Eastwood film Invictus.

Former Samoan rugby international Zak Feaunati, now director of rugby at Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, plays the legendary All Blacks rugby star Jonah Lomu in the film, to be released next weekend.

The New Zealand-born player, who played for Bath, retired from rugby in 2008.

He was asked to play the role after impressing at a casting session in London.

He said: "When I was asked if I wanted to go for a part in a Clint Eastwood movie, I thought it was a joke at first.

"Then someone from the Rugby Players' Association (RPA) phoned me to say it was true and they wanted me to go for it.

"I realised it was real so I agreed to go, more as a favour to the RPA as they had helped me to find my job."

Soon after an audition, which included performing the All Blacks' famous pre-match Haka dance, Zak learned he had got the part.

"I had in the back of my mind there was no chance this was going to happen," he said.

"But two days later I got a phone call from the casting director who said she thought it went well, then a couple of days after that I heard I had got the part. I couldn't believe it and it took a while to realise it was actually going to happen."

The film is based on the book Playing The Enemy: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Changed The World, by journalist John Carlin.

It tells the story of how Nelson Mandela used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite South Africa after the fall of apartheid.

It stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Springbok captain Francois Pienaar.

Zak spent six weeks filming in South Africa last year.

"I got to talk to the stars, and they are very down to earth, just normal people," he said.

"It is the London premier in Leicester Square this Sunday, which I am looking forward to."

30 January, 2010