Allan (left) and Mike Ala’alatoa (right) with dad Vili who played for Samoa at the 1991 RWC

by Brendan Bradford –

Like all siblings, Mike and Allan Ala’alatoa have had their fair share of brotherly battles. But those struggles, which were once confined to the backyard of the family home, are now being played out on the rugby field as the burly front rowers vie for professional contracts at their respective franchises.

Mike, three years older, packed down at loosehead prop as NSW Gen Blue defeated tighthead prop Allan’s ACT A side in the Pacific Rugby Cup at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s the first time we’ve packed down opposite each other,” said Mike after the match.

“We played together a lot last year through the Academy, but now he’s been picked up by the Brumbies and I’m training with the Tahs. It was a good experience and I never thought the day would come when I’d pack against my younger brother.  I enjoyed every minute of it.”

And, who came out on top? There was a moment’s silence as they eyed each other up.

“I’ll say it was even,” said Allan.

“But only because he’s standing right there. It was a proud moment for our family and to play against each other at this level is a great honour and hopefully we get to do it again.”

Allan Alaalatoa in the thick of things for the ACT A side that took on Gen Blue at Allianz Stadium
Photo: karenwatsonphotography.com

There were plenty of opportunities to get stuck in and neither brother gave an inch. Scrums were even as the 120-plus kilogram props packed down directly opposite each other and the biggest hit of the afternoon came in the 50th minute when Allan, ball in hand, made a beeline for his older brother.

Mike, who played U-20s for Samoa in 2011 is back at their junior club West Harbour after a stint at Southern Districts.

“Last year wasn’t a good year for me,” he said.

“I played a lot of second grade and I just missed the brothers at West Harbour.”

Allan will play for a Canberra-based side after taking a contract with the Brumbies and will be eligible for his third season in the Australian U-20s side.

“Hopefully if we keep training hard we’ll get to play each other at Super Rugby,” he said.

“I’m loving Canberra and training with the elite players down there. I think for me being 20, it’s just a learning year for me and next year I can come out firing.”

In a back and forth match, Gen Blue took an early lead with a try to blindside flanker Kaveinga Tipoloma but two penalties to impressive ACT A flyhalf Rodney Iona and a barge over try gave the visitors a six point lead before a Ben Volavola penalty narrowed the gap to 11-10 at the break.

The lead changed hands three more times in the second half as each side added penalties, but halfback Matt Lucas waltzed over for an easy try and Volavola landed another three-pointer as Gen Blue recorded a 23-17 win.