Tupou Vaa'i playing for the All Blacks against Argentina in 2021. Photo: Photosport Ltd / Scott Powick
Tupou Vaa'i will be playing for his family when he plays for the Chiefs against the Crusaders in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final in Hamilton.
He said his family has supported him throughout his rugby career and sacrificed so much for him so he was able to play the sport he loves.
"It's massive. I still can't repay the sacrifices that my parents and my family have done to get me to this point in my career," he told RNZ Pacific on Wednesday.
"Pretty much all the glory back to the man above because if not for the talents I wouldn't be able to do what I do.
"Today I still can't repay the faith my family had in me. It's massive and all gratitude to my parents and my family for their support."
Vaa'i, one of several Pacific Island players to contest the final on Saturday, has six sisters and two brothers.
His mother, Susana, and father, Ueini, moved from Tonga to New Zealand years back, not knowing an All Black was going to come out of that important decision.
Part of the process
Vaa'i has been named in the Chiefs' starting line-up to tackle the champion Crusaders team.
It will be his first Super Rugby Pacific final with the Chiefs.
"The season has been awesome. We've had three years where we've tried and I think that is part of the process," he said.
"We're slowly starting to reap the rewards that we've got this year. We're just truly grateful that we've got wins under our belt and that gives us confidence heading in to this weekend."
He said the experience of playing with fellow Tongan and Pacific Island players has been exciting and the Chiefs, who topped the round robin series, have come together at the right time.
"It's an awesome experience, not just the Tongan boys but all the Pacific Island brothers out there," he said.
"You know we bring the physicality and that's what we pride ourselves in as Pacific Islanders, and awesome to see the brothers out there performing well."
Other Islanders in the team include fellow Tongans Samisoni Taukeiaho, Atunaisa Moli and Samipeni Finau, plus Fijian hitman Pita Gus Sowakula.
Tupou Vaa'i in action for the Chiefs Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Start strong and consistent
Against the Crusaders, Vaa'i believes the Chiefs will need to start strong, take control early and be physical all the way.
He watched the Crusaders crush the Blues in the semi-final last weekend and believes the defending champions will be out to do the same again.
"Our carry and clean-up game needs to be strong. We can learn from their semi-final against the Blues," he stated.
"They were very physical so that is one big area we need to target. And obviously the set pieces and our continuity as well need to be on par."
He has also been named in the All Blacks' squad to prepare for the Rugby Championship series.
But he said his focus is on the finals at the moment.
"I have been thinking about that but my focus is on the final this weekend and not so much on the All Blacks selection.
"Guess will switch to that when we get together for the camp."
Vaa'i joined the Chiefs at the start of the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition and earned All Black selection the same year.
He replaced the Blues' Patrick Tuipulotu in his debut off the bench and made his first starting appearance when he took over from an injured Sam Whitelock.
