Mackenave Pisi says seeing his brothers play at international level inspires him to chase an All Blacks jersey. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Being named after your three older brothers - all of whom have had successful rugby careers - can be a burden for a teenager.
But Mackenave Pisi takes it all in his stride and for him, the challenge is not to be like his brothers, but to be better than them.
The 16-year-old plays in the number 12 jersey for Massey High School's First XV rugby team.
He is the youngest brother of Manu Samoa players Tusi, George and Ken Pisi - all of whom are former Massey First XV captains.
"I'm named after them. Tusi's other name is Makesi, George's other name is Ave, and then Ken.
"Knowing they've done so well has put pressure on me to do well too. But it's been good to grow up with role models like them."
Asked what made him different from his brothers, the year 12 student points out personality traits and abilities off the field.
"I'm probably better at school than them. Well, George anyway," he said, laughing.
George is out injured so will not be available for the All Blacks' first test in Apia tomorrow. But Tusi and Ken have been named in the squad to take on the All Blacks.
Mackenave said seeing his brothers play at international level helped to inspire him to chase a revered jersey too.
Not the blue jersey, however.
"The goal right now is the black jersey. That's what I'm chasing.
But you never know what happens. I'd like to play for the blue jersey too."
He did, however, hope Manu Samoa put up a good contest against the world champs.
If a career in rugby doesn't happen for the youngest of the Pisi brothers, there's another field he is interested in pursuing - that of the medical kind.
"I wanna be a doctor one day. I wanna do well in school and do that later. So yeah, It's not all about rugby."
Who: Manu Samoa v All Blacks.
When: Tomorrow 2pm (NZ time).
Where: Apia Park, Samoa
What: All Blacks will play Manu Samoa in Samoa for the first time.
Watch live: Sky Sport 1, from 1.15pm.
Hot ticket
• All Blacks arrived last night.
• 29C and 77% humidity, wind 19km/h is forecast for the game.
• The test match will be played in front of 8000 fans.
• The Samoan public have a half-day off for the test.
• The All Blacks last played Samoa on September 3, 2008, winning 101-14 in New Plymouth.
• Mils Muliaina, born in Samoa, scored a hat trick.
• Four All Blacks who are set to play tomorrow - Dan Carter, Tony Woodcock, Jerome Kaino and Keven Mealamu - also played in the New Plymouth test.
• Richie McCaw missed the 2008 test because of a rib injury. He has never faced Manu Samoa.
TAB
• Head to head
• New Zealand: $1.01
• Samoa: $15
Extra
For live coverage of the game, visit our live blog from 1.30pm at: www.nzherald.co.nz/sport
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