You're called what? NZ league player's patriotic moniker

World Cup Anthony Manu Samoa Tuiavii plays league for Hukanui in the Waikato. Photo/Supplied

It's a name that's caused shocked looks, double takes, laughter and confusion - World Cup Anthony Manu Samoa Tuiavii.

In fact even Tuiavii himself says he got a shock when he realised, as a teenager, what his real name was.

In 1991, Samoa were in the throes of their first ever Rugby World Cup campaign. After a stunning win against Wales in Cardiff which knocked that country out of the tournament, Samoa lost to Australia, then beat Argentina on October 14 to win a quarter-final spot.

The next day the Tuiavii family welcomed a new baby boy into the world.

Dad Agato is a huge rugby fan. Carried away by the thrill of the previous day's victory, he named his child World Cup Anthony Manu Samoa Tuiavii.

World Cup Anthony Manu Samoa Tuiavii is the only person named World Cup in New Zealand. Photo/Supplied

His mum apparently had no objections, says Tuiavii, who's now 25.

Sadly, bestowing the name on his son didn't propel Agato's beloved team to the semis - they went on to lose their quarter-final against Scotland.

The excitement had died down by the time the boy was old enough to talk, and he grew up being called Manu.

It wasn't till the age of 15 - when the Tuiavii family were preparing to travel to the United States - that he looked at his passport for the first time.

It was a bit of a shock to learn his full name, said Tuiavii, who is one of 11 children. But he didn't really get the story out of his parents till later.

"My parents started telling me about it but I wasn't quite listening."

Attending middle school in America, he was still Manu to his mates. However the principal and teachers insisted on calling him by his official first name, after their initial astonishment.

"The teachers didn't laugh, they were just shocked. They were, like, how did you get this name?," he said. "I said, good question, I'll have to ask my parents."

Tuiaviimoved to New Zealand in 2008. The Department of Internal Affairs told Fairfax there had been no births or deaths here with that name, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment also came up with nothing.

That probably means he's the only World Cup who lives in New Zealand.

Photo/Supplied

Ironically, Tuiavii is more into his rugby league than union. He used to play for the Te Awamutu Firehawks before his brothers and cousin convinced him to join Hukanui in the Waikato, where he plays prop, centre, and occasionally wing. They narrowly missed out on the playoffs this year.

Dad Agato isn't too worried about his son changing rugby codes, Tuiavii says.

"He doesn't mind. He just wants me to make him proud."