By Jon Geddes

WARRINGAH’S 36-29 victory over the Western Sydney Two Blues last Saturday meant a lot more to Rats’ young prop Sateki Latu than collecting the five crucial competition points – because for him it was all in the family.

The Pasifika round game at Rat Park was a fundraiser for the nation of Tonga which has started the painstaking task of rebuilding after the volcanic eruption and tsunami that tore apart the Pacific island paradise and rugby stronghold in January.

The event, which was organised by Warringah, had added significance for Latu as the outstanding young frontrower has a proud Tongan heritage.

“It was a special game for the club to put on especially to raise funds for the Tongan relief,” Latu said. “We have a big Pacific culture here at the Rats so I speak on behalf of all the boys, it meant a lot to us and I can’t thank the club enough.

“I’ve still got family back there and when it hit it was pretty devastating. But the Tongan people are strong people you know, they get up.”

Latu’s thoughts were echoed by Two Blues fullback and Waratahs’ squad member Tevita Funa, who also has Tongan blood proudly coursing through his veins.

“Giving back to the homeland and the people who are in need and struggling makes you feel good,” Funa said.

“It was disappointing we got the loss, but I’m glad we did it for a good cause.”

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

THE scene was set for a special contest when Reverend Mata Havea Hiliau from Balgowlah’s Uniting Church made a moving address to the players and spectators before the Shute Shield kick-off.

Funa said her words made him feel quite emotional as he lined up in front of the grandstand with his Two Blues teammates.

“With what’s happened with the tsunami and the volcanic eruption we are all standing beside the people of Tonga to support them in their recovery,” the Reverend told Rugby News.

“So the day was quite significant, not just in a financial way but it’s also acknowledging the number of Pacific island boys that are part of Rugby Australia, especially the local teams here in the Warringah Rats and the Two Blues.”

Reverend Hiliau said the Pasifika round demonstrated the unique kinship of rugby, supporting Tonga  as it continues to do tough.

“It is pretty dire because when the aid came from overseas Tonga was Covid free until that point and (now) Covid has spread through the island,” she said. “The recovery and the restoration of the economy is on the edge at the moment because the people are struggling to be safe.”

And it was fitting that rugby was used as the vehicle to drive the aid mission for the Tongan people  on Saturday.

“Look, rugby is Tonga’s national sport,” Reverend Hiliau said. “We have people like Willie O, Toutau Kefu and Tatafu Polota-Nau from Australia and across the globe.”

She admitted that the occasion had also given her a lift.

“As I stood to do the welcome I just felt the energy and the love from all people here,” Reverend Hiliau said.

A WORTHY CONTEST

THE Two Blues were the ideal opponents for Warringah in the Pasifika round as they also have a strong contingent of players with a Polynesian background.

And the two sides responded to Reverend Hiliau’s words by turning on a great contest played in a terrific spirit.

It was the Rats best performance of the season so far, ending the revitalised Two Blues’  three-game winning streak.

“I thought we put in a really good 80-minute performance which we haven’t  done (previously),” said head coach Michael Ruthven. “Overall, really pleased with the effort.”

Rats’ backrower Max Girdler was terrific for the 80 minutes and centre Tyson Davis was outstanding in the mid-field.

Despite that loss, the Two Blues again showed how much they have improved and they demonstrated real character, fighting right until the final whistle.

The Rats first grade side wore specially designed jumpers for the day which were auctioned after the game and raised an impressive $5978 with those funds also going to the relief effort.

In a fitting finale to the day a group of the Tongan contingent at the ground showed off their marvellous harmonies by singing and dancing in the club courtyard after the game.