The Tuilagi rugby dynasty

While the All Blacks and Manu Samoa game united Samoans both here and overseas, for the Tuilagi family, it was their first reunion in 12 years.

On Saturday morning, they were having brunch at the Home Café.

The parents, the six rugby player sons, their spouses, partners and children.

The only one missing was Julie.

It’s been quite a year for the family. The boys are managed by the eldest brother, Lauaki Fereti. Alesana played for Manu Samoa in the historic match.

Henry, who was playing in France has retired from rugby. Manu has missed out representing England at the Rugby World Cup and Vavae will debut with Manu Samoa at the Pacific Nations Cup in the United States of America.

Throughout the years, the boys would travel back from Europe to see their parents but due to different seasons, there would always be one or two brothers missing.

“It’s quite special because it’s the first time for quite a while …and we’re trying to make the most of it,” Lauaki said.

“Dad is getting old as well, so to be here and part of the Manu Samoa celebrations against the All Blacks, is special.”

And for Vavae to be named in the Manu Samoa team for the first time, has made the family’s reunion even more memorable.

Apart from Manu, he was the only one of the six brothers who had never represented Samoa.

“He’s finally realized his dream. It’s a massive opportunity for him to put his name forward for the World Cup squad,” Lauaki said of Vavae. “If he can make it, if he works hard for it, I’m sure he’ll get the opportunity.”

As for Henry, who retired last season, the boys attended his testimonial and jubilee.

“Everyone loves him in France and he’s a role model there. For someone who was born and bred in Samoa and who went to France and made a lot of friends, you have to take your hat off to him. He’s done his family proud.”

When Lauaki moved to England to play rugby, over the years, he would bring each of his brothers over. “My job is to open the door for them and then it’s up to them to take the opportunity. And to be fair to the boys, they’ve done really well with their own careers and playing for Manu Samoa… you work hard and perform at the highest level.”

He’s really proud of his brothers and their accomplishments. Alesana didn’t play for Manu Samoa in the last two years when he went to Japan and has proved that he wants to be part of the team and can perform at whatever level.

All the boys were born and bred in The Tuilagi rugby dynasty Samoa and it was always their dream to one day represent their homeland.

Looking back, Lauaki says that being able represent Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup really opened the doors for his family.

“To be honest, I was 19 and it was the first time for me to travel overseas.

Manu was only [aged] one at the [time] and that was why he was named Manu Samoa as it was my debut year for Manu Samoa.”

Everyone has their own skills and contributes to the team, says Lauaki.

They might have the talent but have to have the commitment and make sacrifices to play at the highest level and throughout their career.

“For all the six boys playing international rugby, it’s something me and the family are proud of and I’m sure with Dad and Mum, in their own little way they’re proud of the boys.”

“They hardly come to the U.K. We try and tell them to come…but each of us has a responsibility in life and for Mum and Dad, it’s at the village.”

The rugby talents have also been inherited by Lauaki’s sons. The eldest, Brian, at age 20 is contracted with a rugby team in London that won the premiership last season. He also studies law and economics at a university there.

Frederick is 18 and playing for Leicester Tigers and is attending college. “I didn’t really have a good education myself but with the boys getting this opportunity is something I encourage. I encouraged them to play rugby and also get their education but at the same time, they’re happy to do their own thing. I’m not going to pressure them to play rugby but if that’s something they want to do, I’m happy for them to do that.”

As for Manu, Lauaki says, he is a good kid and struggles with always being in the public eye.

The incident where he was charged with assault was blown out of proportion by the media and his critics in the U.K. but Manu is yet to tell his side of the story.

“It was disappointing the way some of the media described Manu as assaulting people. He didn’t really do anything. He’s a good kid. He’s a young lad as well and it’s hard for him. He’s quite high profile in the U.K. and every little thing [is] picked up by the media.”

“He will learn from it and everybody makes mistakes.”

Lauaki says he has also made mistakes in life however, was fortunate that he wasn’t as high profile.

Manu leaves today to return to the Leicester Tigers for the pre-season.

“And [he will] train hard and hopefully he’ll come back stronger. He’s a dedicated player and he wouldn’t have made it to that high level if he hadn’t got that commitment to his rugby.”

But it’s not just about the opportunities for his family.

Lauaki feels that he is also responsible to open doors for other players that are taken overseas. Aside from his brothers, he also manages a few other Samoan rugby players and some English boys as well.

This year, there are two 16-yearold Samoans, who he was reluctant to name. They have been given the chance to play rugby at a top rugby school in the U.K., from where rugby started. It is a private boarding school costing 45,000 pounds a year. One player starts in September and another will soon follow. It is the ultimate opportunity for the two boys to do well at school and also pursue their rugby talents.

“I have to take the right players for long term. If they behave themselves and look after themselves, hopefully they come back and play for Manu Samoa. I’m excited for the future of these two young lads.”

When Lauaki went to the U.K., he was living the dream.

“It’s one thing to get a contract but another thing to maintain your level of rugby and commitment. I think that’s why some of the locals fail from overseas because they think they’ve made it.” To make it, Lauaki says you need to play for five to 10 years and then you’ve contributed to your career.

However, there is that tendency to slack off and lack that consistency and the ability to look after themselves enough to play at the highest levels of rugby for many years. On Saturday, at Home Café, as the family posed for the Sunday Samoan photos, diners gathered around with their mobiles to capture a moment in the life of the Tuilagi family, they may never see together again.

That rare family photo of parents, sons, wives, partners and grandchildren. Rugby icons, reunited in their homeland of Samoa.