Young Tuilagi follows footsteps

By Vatapuia Maiava 11 June 2016, 12:00AM

The future of the Tuilagi bloodline is growing and strong.

Celebrating his 19th birthday in Samoa, Fredrick Tuilagi who is the nephew of the famous Tuilagi brothers was just happy to be back home from England to celebrate together with family and friends.

Following closely behind his rugby star uncles, Fredrick currently plays rugby for the Tigers in the U.K. looking only to his family for inspiration.

“Right now we’re on our off-season so we decided to come to Samoa,” he told the Weekend Observer.

“It’s sort of a coincidence how I came to Samoa for holiday and my birthday happens to be around the same time, it’s really good.”

After spending most of his life in England, being back home is a breath of fresh air for the young Tuilagi.

“Celebrating my birthday here is just unbelievable,” he said. “It’s been so long since I have been back; it’s also been a while since I’ve gotten the chance to celebrate my birthday with family.

“I’m just glad to be here with all of them, it’s a real blessing.”

Life back in England is no walk in the park for Fredrick as he recently had to live on his own with family here in Samoa.

“I have lived in England all my life and it’s been difficult because my mom moved back to Samoa last year,” he said. “I have had to sort of live by myself and try new things; it’s been difficult but it has also been a good experience.

“I have been playing for the Tigers over there and we have had a good season, but I’m the second generation of the rugby family so hopefully everything goes well.”

But no matter what, Fredrick’s goals are clear, and that is to get onto that professional platform just like his uncles. “I want to be a professional rugby player,” he said. “That has been the dream since I was small; that’s all I want to do and all I want to be.

“It is sort of like following in my family’s footsteps; people ask me all the time if I have pressure with my family being where they are and with me being where I am and I say no; I kind of see it as motivation to one day make like they did.

“In five years time I hope to play professionally for England; I would also love to represent Samoa as well.

“Representing Samoa has also always been a dream of mine since I was a kid but we’ll see what happens.” Frederick is the son of Lauaki Fereti Tuilagi and Margaret Polly Godinet.

By Vatapuia Maiava 11 June 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>