Knowing that Jesus is with me makes me a stronger person. Not arrogant, but stronger. I know that whatever I try to do, even if it doesn’t work out, I’ll always have God. I’ll always have Jesus to lean back on and I know there must be a reason for everything that happens. You can’t … Read more

My father had a real passion for the game of rugby, but never forced it upon me. One day, he took me out of school and we want on a father-son trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town to watch the opening game of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, in which South Africa took on Australia. … Read more

I’ve been surrounded by rugby for most of my life. My father played internationally for the Manu Samoa, who won the gold medal in the 1970 South Pacific Games. Though I was born in Samoa, my father wanted us to be raised in New Zealand, where there were more opportunities available to us. I remember … Read more

At the age of 25, all my dreams had come true. A successful rugby player, I had everything I’d ever wanted for my life. I thought I was a man! But deep down inside, my conscience really bothered me about how I was living — the drunkenness, the sex outside of marriage, the parties, the … Read more

My journey to the game of rugby was a bit of an odd one. Like a lot of American rugby players, I started off playing American football, with my sights on making it to the NFL. But when that dream seemed to be off the table, I was introduced to rugby, and to Jesus, both … Read more

I grew up in the impoverished township of Zwide in South Africa, where I was raised by my grandmother because my mother and father were too young to look after me. Ever since I can remember, rugby has been a big part of my life. My dad and uncles played this sport, and as soon … Read more

I’ve been playing the game of rugby for six years now. I have always loved sports and been very athletic, but when soccer was becoming less exciting for me, I looked to rugby — a sport that has always been a part of my Samoan family’s culture.  When I started playing in an amateur club league, … Read more

I grew up in a very athletic family. My mother was a sprinter, my father was a football player and my brothers and cousins played cricket, rugby and football. I fell in love with rugby.  In 2012, I was invited to be on the women’s national rugby team that went to the UK for the … Read more

Prayer is massive in my life. Especially on game days, I pray at home before I leave, and I pray for protection for my family while I’m away. I pray in the changing rooms once I get to the stadium and then I pray on the pitch again. I pray for protection over every player … Read more

Born in Samoa, I then grew up in New Zealand where rugby is almost a form of religion. All my friends played rugby and so naturally, I wanted to as well. I began playing at age 7, but it wasn’t until I was in high school when I started to think about rugby becoming a … Read more