Tu’amoheloa gets the call!

West Auckland may have more than just All Black representation at the Rugby World Cup in October and November.

Openside flanker Johnny Tu’amoheloa has been called up to wear the red of his homeland Tonga in the global event in Australia.

The 22-year-old New Lynn resident is a former Kelston Boys High School first XV player and was team-mate of current All Black fullback Malili Muliaina in 1998.

Tu’amoheloa, whose Tongan first name is Sione, also played with other notable footballers such as Sam Tuitupou, Pat Segi and Stephen Bates in that 1998 world First XV champion team.

His anxious wait for the announcement of the 30-man Ikale Tahi Tongan World Cup squad is over. He has been selected in the squad of 30 for the 2003 RWC.

Tu’amoheloa was raised in Australia and speaks fluent Tongan. His family came to west Auckland when he was 14.

Upon leaving school he joined the Massey club and made the premiers in his first year. This partly explains his nickname 'Johnny Schoolboy', though it may also have a lot to do with the difficulty of pronouncing his surname.

At full strength the multi-cultural Massey premiers can select a formidable loose forward trio from the likes of Malua Tipi, Ron Cribb, Troy Flavell, Francis Stowers, Chris Aho, Viliami Ma'afu and Tuamoheloa.

"Johnny can command the openside position even with all these players available," says Massey co-coach Mark Nasey.

"Not only is he exceptionally talented with ball in hand, but he's very good with the tackled ball situation on the ground.

"He commands a lot of respect from his peers. He is a young Tongan man doing well at university, and takes a leadership role in the team."

Nasey says Massey missed Tu’amoheloa for much of the second round, in which it bowed out of the championship race at the death, due to his eight-week tour with Tonga.

"It was unfortunate we didn't have him when we really needed him. But at the same time you want to see these guys take steps."

Tuamoheloa also has Fijian blood and says he contemplated making himself available for the Melanesian nation but the first approach came from Tongan coach Jim Love, who turned up at a Massey training in May.

"My goal was just to crack the NPC squad. This came out of the blue. I feel quite privileged to play for my country," says the athletic 100kg 1.84m flanker.
The Tongan tour involved matches in New Zealand, Australia, Tonga and Fiji.
He was disappointed at a sinbinning against the New Zealand Divisional XV in a 10-all draw and missed the selection cut for the test against Ireland in Nuku'alofa.

But he earnt his first cap as a replacement against Fiji in a 34-31 loss at Nadi. His first start came a week later in Nuku'alofa v Fiji in his first visit home in seven years.

"It was quite special hearing the anthem," he says, adding victory made it sweeter in front of his people.

The match in Nadi was notable, as the full Tongan team did not assemble until the night before the match due to travel plan errors.

He returned home last month with the flu but is now back in full training and is likely to see match time with the North Harbour Development XV before the Tongans assemble for a camp in Rotorua.

Former Suburbs midfielders Gus Leger and Johnny Ngauamo are in the 30, as is former Waitakere wing Sione Fonua.

If all goes to plan, Tuamoheloa will line up on October 24 in Brisbane against Muliaina, Kees Meeuws and the might of the All Blacks. It will be a proud day for Kelston Boys High.