The relatives of Toa Samoa Rugby League World Cup (R.L.W.C.) squad members are backing their kin and teammates as the countdown to the grand-final against Australia begins. 

It was hard to locate the families of the players in the village of Lufilufi with most villagers claiming they are all related to the Toa Samoa players who reportedly share the same village. But who wouldn’t want to be related to the men, who made history on Sunday morning when they beat the host nation England in the RLWC semi-final, and are 80 minutes away from being world champions.

Three players that were named in the Toa Samoa squad proudly referred to Lufilufi as their home village in Samoa. They include Jaydn Su'a, Izack Tago and Hamiso Tabuai Fidow. 

When the Samoa Observer visited the men’s family home in the village of Lufilufi on Monday their relatives were filled with emotion but mostly thankful for the boy's decision to represent Samoa in the RLWC.

At Tago’s family home in Lufilufi, his elderly aunty Tauimauga Tusa Faaaefili and cousin Tusa Faaaefili Atinae were proud of him representing his village and country. 

Tusa said Izack’s parents left Samoa for Australia many years ago and the Penrith Panthers player had last visited his family in Lufilufi, before he played international rugby league. 

He said the player is the son of Liumalo Samuelu and knowing he chose to fly Samoa’s flag reflects his will to give back to his country and his people of Samoa. 

During the Samoa’s clash with Mate Ma'a Tonga a fortnight ago, Tusa said their family also have roots in Tonga and the family decided to cheer for both countries due to their ancestral ties. 

And just down the road is Hamiso Fidow’s maternal family. His grand uncles Faamatuainu Aitupe and Faamatuainu Togiai were thrilled with the outcome of the game on Sunday against England. 

The men said it was a chance for the Toa Samoa to correct their earlier mistakes and they did a splendid job with the end result in Samoa’s favour. 

“Hamiso’s grandmother is Upulua Soonalafo and she is our sister,” said the brothers. “We are very proud that he and other players are representing our village and our country. 

“We know that if it wasn’t for the sports development in the country they currently live in, they would not have made it this far, so we are grateful for that. 

“But we are very thankful to them for thinking of their home country and we are very proud of them and for making us known to the whole world.” 

Fidow’s granduncles said the player has yet to visit his paternal family in Lufilufi, and they hope in the future they will return home, so they can thank them and recognise them for their service. 

The families of the men also extended their congratulations to the Toa Samoa team and wished them all the best with the R.L.W.C. grand final against the Australian Kangaroos this Sunday at 5am.