Love for both: Finefeuiaki has Tonga and Samoa in heart
Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is set to make his Tonga debut but his family background means Samoa also tugs at his heartstrings.
Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has summed up the passion, respect and love behind the looming Pacific Championships showdown between Tonga and Samoa.
The languages, customs and family values of both nations are well understood by him.
âI know both. I can speak both. I can understand both. I love each and every one of them,â he said.
The 21-year-old will make himself available for Tonga on October 26 at Suncorp Stadium to play against Samoa in one of the most anticipated internationals of all time, but it was far from a straight-forward decision.
âMy whole name is Tongan,â he said.
âI donât think that anybody knows that Iâm half Samoan as well because of my mum, but (I will play) for Tonga because I grew up more on my dadâs side than my mumâs side.
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âWhen it comes to those kind of games, my parents ask me who am I going for. I just go for the ref because I donât want to start any fights in the house.
âI just love both of my parents, so I hope I get to represent both nations down the track.â
Finefeuiaki is yet to make his international debut but has been in Tonga camp previously and is on track to do so in this yearâs Pacific Championships. He watched with interest as Payne Haas made his decision this week to link with Samoa.
âIt was pretty special for someone like Payne, with the profile he has and what heâs done for the game, to turn away from Australia to go to Samoa, especially being half Samoan myself,â Finefeuiaki said.
âNo doubt the Samoan nation will be happy.
âIf it comes at the back end of the season then I would love to put my hand up to represent Tonga. Iâm just trying to focus on my game and my footy at the Dolphins.â
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Finefeuiaki joined Queensland camp during this yearâs State of Origin series but gets the sense the international rivalries brewing in the Pacific will surpass it.
âI reckon itâs just a bit more than Origin, when it comes to international footy,â he said.
âEveryone from the small islands, they get behind their own countries and no doubt that first game between Samoa and Tonga at Suncorp will be a sellout. The parades are going to be crazy all around New Zealand and Australia.
â(Maroons camp) was a pretty cool experience, especially for myself playing my junior footy here.
âI was just learning off all the veteran players like Patty Carrigan and how they carry themselves.
âI try to add what they have to my game, so I just need to keep working on that.â
Finefeuiaki will play for the Dolphins away against Manly on Saturday as a finals berth goes on the line.
âI just need to carry hard and make my tackles. On the weekend I missed a few crucial tackles there, so I just need to ⌠keep my feet closer to contact and just help my edge,â he said.
âIf I do my job, then the boys will do their job as well.â
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