Rugby: Brothers help to keep ties strong

Manu Samoa's Ken Pisi at training in Apia. Photo / Dean Purcell

In a little corner of the English Midlands, a New Zealand-Samoan connection burns brightly.

Ken Pisi, brother George, Kahn Fotuali'i and Ahsee Tuala, all members of the Manu Samoa squad, all play for Northampton Saints, carrying on a tradition which has seen Wayne Smith and Pat Lam coach at the club.

The four Samoan players at Saints have all played rugby in New Zealand and are keen on carrying on another tradition from Downunder — the barbecue — no matter the weather.

"We always have our barbecues, even in the winter," Ken Pisi said. "I know people look at us and think, 'what are these guys doing this in the winter for, it's so cold?', but that's our way of life. We like to do things differently — our way. We always get together and have lunch or dinner."

A third Pisi brother is in the Manu Samoa squad, former Hurricanes first-five Tusi, who plays for Toulon. Ken Pisi is a 26-year-old former North Harbour player who made his international debut in 2012.

He has played five tests, the last the 28-9 defeat to England at Twickenham in November.

Saints are his first overseas club and, after two years, he has become used to living in Northampton.

"I think it has taken me about two years, but it's not much different to New Zealand. For me it's the weather that gets me, and being away from my family," said Ken, who honed his skills alongside George and Tusi in Auckland.

"It definitely won't get up to 20-something degrees, but I've got used to it. The winter is always hard — nothing like this. It's good to get back to the muggy and hot weather."

Ken and George were said to be key figures in Northampton winning the Aviva Premiership last year — their swan dives when scoring tries caught the attention of not only the club's supporters, but also the English press — and both are keen to continue that success with Manu Samoa, not only on Wednesday against the All Blacks at Apia Park, but also at the World Cup which starts in September.

"As a team, we just want to show the world what we are capable of, especially on our home soil," Ken Pisi said. "It will be good to get a win, but the boys just want to show that we can compete with the best."