When Malie’s favourite son, Ofisa Treviranus, leads out the Manu Samoa tonight, he can be sure that his village will be right behind him.
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They will be in full voice to support their Treviranus, who has been handed the rare honour of captaining his country, to rugby’s biggest event.
Yesterday morning when the Sunday Samoan visited, Malie’s preparations were well underway.
Treviranus’s cousin, Tauvela Leiua, said the entire village is buzzing because of Ofisa. And although he is thousands of miles away on the other side of the world, the television coverage makes them feel part of the excitement.
“This is as close as we can to being there to support Ofisa and the boys,” said Tauvela.
“Our prayers are with them and I know our village and the whole country are doing the same remembering them as they carry our nation on the field.”
To show their support, Tauvela and his wife have been wearing blue all week – even at home.
Tauvela said the honour of having his cousin named the captain has lifted the spirits of his family and village.
“We are proud of him and how far he has come,” said Tauvela.
“It’s not easy for him having the whole country watching his moves and expecting victory."
“We know he’s feeling the pressure but we also know that he is proud of his country and will lead our team with pride.
He understands how important rugby is to our people and he had told us that he will give it all he has got.”
Tauvela thanked Manu Samoa for having faith in Treviranus’s ability to lead.
According to him, Ofisa was always a keen rugby player from a young age. He said the captain started playing rugby at Leulumoega College and continued at St. Joseph’s College.
Ofisa is the son of the late Sauni and Sautia Ofisa from Malie.
After his father passed away last year, his mother moved to New Zealand where most of his siblings reside.
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