Exeter's Junior Poluleuligaga ready to fight for place

Junior Poluleuligaga made seven starts and 14 replacement appearances for Exeter Chiefs last season

Exeter Chiefs' Samoan scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga is ready to fight for his place in the side after returning from the World Cup.

Poluleuligaga, 30, made one appearance for Samoa as a replacement in their 49-12 win over Namibia.

"I'm not here to make up the numbers," the former Waikato and Harlequins player told BBC Radio Devon.

"I still have some goals as a rugby player and I need to achieve those goals here at the Chiefs."

Poluleuligaga is currently behind Haydn Thomas and Kevin Barrett in the scrum-half pecking order at Sandy Park, but says he wants to become head coach Rob Baxter's first choice.

"I've really been working hard during the pre-season here and I want to try and get that jersey and fight for it, and if I do get that opportunity I'll make sure I give it my best," he said.

Poluleuligaga said his highlight of the World Cup was Samoa's 27-7 win over rivals Fiji at Eden Park.

"I'm born and bred in Auckland, it was a sell-out and my whole family was there so it was a good occasion," he added.

"It's the pinnacle for any professional rugby player, the best players from every country are there and if you want to test yourself, the World Cup's the best place to do it."