For a nation that is renowned for it’s deep family ties and faith, it wasn’t surprising to see so many family and friends supporting Samoa in their victory over USA on Sunday.
Amidst thousands of fans backing them to their first win of this year’s World Cup, the team’s nearest and dearest were there to cheer the players on and applaud them as they lapped the pitch to give thanks to the whole crowd. According to Alesana Tuilagi, who received enormous praise from the crowd on his substitution journey to the bench, having family there is something that the whole team appreciates and uses to spur them on. Speaking after the match he described their support as “absolutely outstanding”.
Manu Still Big Part of World Cup
“All the fans and our family, and for the USA as well, you could feel them cheering us on, you could hear that. It was great positivity.”
And whilst England are missing the presence of their own Tuilagi brother Manu, who Stuart Lancaster left out of the squad after he pleaded guilty to assault earlier this year, his involvement in the World Cup takes another form in supporting his native home and brothers of Samoa.
“He has always come around with the family’s travelling around because he is my brother. He comes with the parents and the wives. Of course he will come to support Samoa with the fans. Yes he plays for England but once the family get together he’s one of us.”
And if there is any doubt about who Manu was to support out of the two teams, the Newcastle Falcons powerhouse Alesana seems to think he would be loyal to the ties that bind.
“Of course he is [loyal to Samoa]. He was born there but he is playing for England so he does his best for them. When he is playing it is 100% effort but of course his second team is Samoa.
“He will come and watch us play South Africa but we meet up and have a chat, have a coffee, it’s nice.”
So whilst he supports his teammates in Pool A, it’s seems to be a family affair for Manu who joins the rest of the Tuilagi crowd as they continue this World Cup journey. Despite training with Leicester Tigers in their Premiership preparation, he can enjoy watching both nations battle their way through the tournament.
Samoa’s next match is at Villa Park, Birmingham, as they face South Africa in their pursuit of group qualification. They then go on to play Japan, who have caused one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by edging a win over South Africa in Saturday’s tense and gripping encounter, before finally facing Scotland on 10th October.
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