Cambridge back-rower Anthony Maka moves on after four years with RFU Championship club

Cambridge’s director of rugby and head coach Richie Williams has conceded that it will be ‘very hard to replace’ Anthony Maka.

The back-rower, who joined the club in the summer of 2020 from Rotherham Titans, had initially been included on a list of retained players following the conclusion of the 2023/24 RFU Championship campaign.

However, Maka has since accepted an offer to link up with lower-level Oundle.

And while he will still be a regular presence at Ellgia Fields in his role within the club’s foundation, on and off the pitch his departure has left a big void within the squad.

Williams told the Richie & Jacko Podcast: “This one stings a little bit. We’re losing a player that has become part of the fabric of Cambridge since he joined us.

“He’s decided to go and play local rugby at Oundle. There’s less of a training commitment there and he’s got a young family that are now his priority, which we understand. There’s no anomosity there.

“Unfortunately we can’t give Maka the security of a two-year contract, which is what he’s been offered at Oundle. He’s been fantastic. On a personal level it’s been great to get to know him away from rugby.

“If you were to come down to the club any day of the week, you’d see him working for the foundation, helping some of the kids that have become a little disenfranchised with education.

“He’s doing a lot of positive work with them and he’ll continue to do that, which is really encouraging. He’s here every Sunday with his little boy, who has started playing mini rugby, and Amy – his wife – is here every Saturday watching so we’ll really miss him.

“It will be a strange one because we’ll see him most days in the capacity he has got with the foundation, but as a player and person, some people are very hard to replace.

“What I love about Maka is the way that he welcomes new people to the club and there will be a big responsibility now on the likes of George (Bretag-Norris, captain) and Ben Adams – the senior boys – to carry out that legacy.

“He’s someone that everyone involved with Cambridge Rugby Club will miss dearly – not just because of his on-field performances, but because of his character and nature.

“He goes with our well wishes. He’ll smash it up at Oundle and they’re very lucky to have a person of his quality. I know he’ll relish the challenge.”