PNC- Japan visit Manunu village

Alisi Tupuailai was born in Samoa & plays international rugby for Japan; yesterday he took his team back to his roots at Manunu village.

Tipping the scales at 116 kg Alisi Tupuailai is a big man, he also has a big heart and was very humbled to take his Japanese rugby squad to his birthplace in Samoa. Living and playing rugby in Japan, he leads a very different life these days, but seeing him in his old hood revealed the soft side of this rugby hardened man.

2 buses were required to get the Japanese squad to Manunu village and as they piled out from the journey loving people swamped them. Alisi proudly showed his family land & his Fale (home). While his relatives were in the middle of cooking a traditional feast; he took his teammates walkabout Samoa style.

All the boys trekked down a muddy path to a stream, passing pigs, lush jungle and friendly locals along the way; they all savoured a serene part of Samoa. Clambering across the river, the team building started as they convoy passed young kids to the other side safely. Once there Alisi showed them his waterfall and soon they were leaping in and cooling off from the tropical humidity.

These 2 worlds could hardly be more extreme contrasts of each other, seeing the Japanese bask in this environment it was obvious they all share a lot more in common. His team had great delight in seeing his place on planet earth, talking with Alisi he was touched that they know where he comes from.

The swimming adventures were followed with a re-crossing of the testing river, up the hill and they all washed up a bit in the open bathing area. As dusk hit, a prayer was said and the team was treated to a fine feast. As diverse as the Japanese team is, the menu had Samoan favouite spit roasted pig & Palusami, Japanese blend of Sashimi was also there with food galore for all. The big fellas loaded the plates up and they were all like family in the Fale.

The local chief blessed the squad; he wished them all the luck on the footy field and on any journey they take off the field. He was handed a Japanese match jersey and proudly hugged it saying they were the team he would support.

Coach John Kirwan said, “This shows rugby is more than a game, it is about seeing and sharing other cultures and we are all about this”.

As far as team bonding goes you just can’t beat what went on at Manunu village, this Japanese team is a tight unit, they are on the rise and they are as one.

Click on the video below to watch this visit.