New All Black's grandma keeps the faith

A grandmother's prayers have been answered.

Fololina Toeava wanted the very best for her 19-year-old grandson Isaia. Yesterday Graham Henry put his faith in the youngster and picked him at fullback for the All Blacks' starting line-up against Scotland.

"Every time I pray to God to help my grandson out," Mrs Toeava said.

The teenager, who was Henry's bolter for the touring team to Britain, gets his first cap as the All Blacks chase only their second Grand Slam since 1978.

While the Samoan-born Aucklander wins more fans on Sunday, none will replace his number-one fan - his grandmother.

The 66-year-old attends all her grandson's local games, and when she can't be present she watches the games on television, all the while saying a little prayer.

She has looked after him ever since he came to New Zealand 12 years ago, while his parents stayed in Samoa.

Mrs Toeava said she would be watching on Sunday, as she had done for every match of this tour.

"Every game, I can't sleep."

After just one NPC start, Toeava will get his chance to shine as the team look to create rugby history at Murrayfield. He has also been nominated for the International Rugby Board under-19 player of the year award to be decided this weekend.

His former college coach, Nigel Hurst, said it was unbelievable to think that Toeava was playing first five-eighths for the De La Salle 1st XV in Mangere East just two years ago.

Mr Hurst said Toeava's star quality was apparent early on. "You can't take credit for something you didn't do. Whatever he's achieved, this was going to have happened long before we had anything to do with him."

News of Toeava's selection swept through De La Salle College yesterday.

"We're just so proud of him," Mr Hurst said. "He deserves it. He's never been one to shoot off at the mouth.

"He's a quiet achiever, he listens well, he does everything he's told, and he's just a real success story for his community, his family and for our school."

John Stowers, Toeava's first rep coach when the young star was just 10, said: "We knew he was going to go all the way, but we didn't realise he was going to get there that quick."