Alesana Tuilagi winds up for the All Blacks

Blockbusting Manu Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi says he can hardly wait to take on the All Blacks in front of his people.

Speaking to the Samoa Obser v e r yesterday, Alesana, who is one of two Tuilagi brothers in the extended 41- man squad camping at Leauva’a, says the opportunity to play against the world champions at home is priceless.

The other Tuilagi in the team is Vavae Tuilagi.

For Alesana though, it will be his first game against the All Blacks.

“It’s pretty tough for islanders to bring the All Blacks, the number one team in the world,” Alesana said.“I’m looking forward to this. It’s good for the country and a good opportunity for the players ...to play well".

Alesana says that since the beginning of the Manu Samoa camp on Monday, the players have been working extremely hard. They are all keen to represent Samoa on that day.

For Alesana who has been missing from the Manu Samoa for the past couple of seasons, he says he is excited to be back in the fold.

“It’s been a dream for me to continue to play with Manu Samoa and for my country.

Once you retire, you look back and you still want to play. I’m really excited and really pleased they want me back".

The veteran rugby player says he is disappointed that three of the team’s number one props are unavailable due to retirement or last minute injuries through club games.

But he believes the coaching staff has done a wonderful job to prepare the team.

Given the fact that the test against the All Blacks is a one-off game, Alesana admits that competition for places in the playing 23 is tough.

“I’m sure every player will give their 120 percent for this game".

Alesana, his wife Aniva and their two daughters are back in Newcastle this year after two years in Japan.

He says his time in Japan was a great opportunity to recuperate as the demands of professional rugby there is not as tough as in the United Kingdom.

Asked about the recent controversy involving younger brother, Manu, who has been dropped from England’s World Cup squad, Alesana said the issue was blown out of proportion by the media.

“To be honest, I just support him,” he said. “He didn’t assault them like the paper said because that’s what they do. He’s sort of disappointed but you know, things happen and sometimes you can’t do anything about it".

“Just be with your family and be happy. Learn from it and look forward to the next challenge. You know we always support him no matter what".

Alesana said Manu, who is currently at Savai’i, is happy to be home and has more time to spend with his parents and to see the family.

And that’s another cause of Alesana’s excitement. For the first time in many years, all his brothers and parents are together in Samoa.

Throughout the years, because the boys play for different clubs overseas, they would only visit Samoa once the season is over and that varied depending on the country in which one was contracted.

So the historic event has also made history for the Tuilagi family.

“We’re all really happy that Manu is going to stay on and watch the game. Our parents are very happy.

Everybody is here this time of the year...so it’s pretty exciting for us. It’s been a long time".

All the brothers and their families will remain to watch the game and support the Manu Samoa team.

“It’s a good time to spend time with each other and for some bonding".