Game Day July 08 2015 done, dusted gone, the next day seemed so hollow and empty.
After a long day of servicing the needs of the big after game parties, the Manutagi team was feeling drawn and empty.
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Suddenly at about 10, Jim Gilchrist of Return to Paradise calls us to keep the promise he made to us at the Return to Paradise event.
The SBC team had put the highest bid on the Richie McCaw autographed All Black Jersey.
Jim promised us that night that Richie would meet us in person to express gratitude.
Well Jim kept his promise and had called us to come to Tanoa Tusitala at about 11 to meet the World Champion’s Captain.
Full of nervous anticipation and excitement, the Manutagi team reached Tanoa. The sight that met our eyes was unreal, there was Richie unassuming sitting in the lobby chatting to Ben Leia and his family.
At the event Return to Hollywood, Jim had showed a small video chip of Richie initiating the fund for sportspersons like Ben Leia who suffered spinal injuries.
The clip featured Richie making a genuine and honest appeal for people to support. Many had asked us about why we paid such a high bid for the jersey.
We had our answer at the Tanoa lobby Richie was introduced to us, his humility took us by surprise, here we were totally in awe of meeting this larger than life superstar and there he was graciously thanking us for supporting his appeal.
During our conversation, Richie mentioned he is supporting SSNO and players whose dreams are so abruptly intervened by an accident because it helps us understand our lucky we are with our lives.
We felt privileged to have been able to meet Richie Mccaw, the World Champion, the star, the celebrity but above all a great human being who totally inspired us.
We wish to see Richie back here Samoa maybe on vacation as he has already experienced Samoan hospitality.
Feeling very accomplished great game, great parties and above all a fabulous moment with Richie that would be cherished for a lifetime.
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