BLOOD BROTHERS: They may not have the same blood but Willie Ripia and Liam Messam certainly consider themselves brothers. Daily Post sports editor Craig Tiriana finds out about the NZ Maori rugby teammates' Rotorua connection.
RUGBY
YOU meet all sorts at lunches.
In the case of New Zealand Maori rugby representative Willie Ripia, he met his great mate and now captain Liam Messam at his family's Rotorua dinner table about five years ago.
They were kids then. Now one is a Hurricane, the other a Chief and All Black and both are in the Maori match 22 to play Ireland in Rotorua tonight. It's a homecoming for them both, having played junior rugby in the city - Willie turning out for Waikite on frosty bootless JAB mornings while Liam contested his first lineout for Marist St Michaels.
Willie was going to intermediate and Liam was attending Rotorua Boys' High School when they met. Liam, 17 months older, was a friend of Willie's older brother and along with a couple of other rugby mates, ended up staying with the Ripia family ... for five years.
What's your earliest memory of each other?
Willie on Liam: He came for lunch one day and five years later [Liam] left for Waikato. He stayed there the whole time!
Liam on Willie: I saw a tape of him playing Tai Mitchell or Roller Mills. He had blonde hair and head gear and pretty much did everything by himself. There was about four or five of us at the house who were pretty close together and that bond sort of stuck. We liked each other that much we hung out together 24/7, it's pretty cool. The boys have all got a close relationship with my parents just up the road too.
What's your relationship?
Willie: Nobody really knows how close we are and that he lived at our house for five years, but I guess being Maori we tend to whangai kids out and we did quite a lot of stuff together. We do the things that any other brothers do but were not tied by blood.
Liam: I have the responsibility as the older of the two of us to sort of look after him, give him support and guidance.
What's his best attribute?
Willie: [Liam] is the most approachable person you can meet. I guess his size doesn't show how soft he is. He's family orientated and loves kids.
Liam: [Willie] is a real good kid, thoughtful and a talented footballer and now he's in the Maoris he gets to express himself a bit more. He's just a top kid.
If you were his coach what would you tell him to work on?
Willie: Obviously [Liam] is a pretty talented rugby player with ball in hand and quite feared around the world. I'd tell him 'bro get out there and express yourself, get the ball in your hands and make things happen'."
Liam: I'd just say back himself. [Willie] is sort of like in himself at the moment but in this environment he can express himself a bit more.
What's your best memory of Rotorua Boys' High School?
Willie: Captaining the Rotorua Boys' High first XV down at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. We beat Napier and won the New Zealand title and Moascar Cup.
Liam: The dollar scoop of chips and garlic butter across the road. Every lunchtime, me and Steven Setephano. I haven't had that since I was at school.
What does playing for New Zealand Maori mean for you?
Willie: It's great. Obviously with Maori heritage and being brought up amongst a lot of Maori things growing up. It's great for my family to see that one of us is there and hopefully more can come through. It's a bit intimidating. There's huge pressure in Maori rugby and huge significance with the 100 years but it's not a burden, we want to go out there and do our best.
Liam: It's a pretty special team and being 100 years for Maori, it's pretty awesome to be in this environment.
I guess every team I play for I try to put 110 per cent energy and effort in. It's awesome to lead the Maori side and especially to come home. I really can't put it into words.
NZ Maori homecoming for pair
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