Samoan players in the Moana Pasifika cannot wait to run on Apia Park as the team hosts its first ever match in Samoa against the Queensland Reds on April 14.

Moana Pasifika's Forward of the Year, Alamanda Motunga, 28, hails from the villages of Sataoa and Saanapu and was born in Samoa.

As a young child, Motunga'a ambition was always rugby and playing in front of a home crowd is something he has always wanted.

"It hasn't been long since I last came to Samoa, about a year ago for my grandmother's funeral but still, coming back this time will be different because I'll be coming to play in front of my people and family and hopefully a huge Samoan crowd," he told Samoa Observer in an interview.

Two years ago, Motunga made his debut for the Moana Pasifika and his journey so far has been an interesting one.

After spending 11 years in Samoa, he moved to New Zealand and managed to pave his way as a professional rugby player.

Prior to making the Moana Pasifika squad, the loose forward was a Manu Samoa and rugby sevens player and played for the Counties Manukau in the Bunnings NPC.

In 2016 he was selected for the Samoa national rugby sevens team to play in the Las Vegas and Vancouver legs of the 2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series and in May of the same year, he was part of the Samoan team that won the 2016 Paris Sevens. 

He went on to represent Samoa in 36 sevens competitions from 2016. In July 2019 he was selected for the Samoa national rugby union team for the 2019 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, making his debut for the national side against Tonga. His performances for Samoa and Samoa Sevens earned him a call-up to the Samoa squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as a replacement for Afa Amosa.

In 2020 he joined the Counties Manukau squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup. In November 2020 he represented Moana Pasifika in their inaugural match against the Māori All Blacks. In October 2021 he signed to Moana Pacifica for the 2022 season.

Asked what his biggest motivation is, Motunga said its his grandmother, late Tauilo Motunga who passed on last year and whose passing was one of the darkest periods of his life.

He wishes his grandmother would've been around to see him play on his home soil but remains optimistic about the game next weekend.

Michael Curry, Moana Fasifika loose forward, 28, hails from the villages of Faatoia and Taufusi. He was born in American Samoa but mostly grew up in Samoa.

Having lived in Samoa as a boy, passing the rugby ball, playing with his cousins and children from the neighbourhood in their front yard is a memory he likes to reflect on.

Curry plays at lock or flanker and represented Colorado Raptors in the 2020 Major League Rugby season and later joined the Moana Pasifika last year. 

The last time he had been to Samoa was 2015 and he is looking forward to playing in front of his people and family.

"It has been that long since I haven't been to Samoa and so coming back this time is a dream come true, a moment I look forward to, seeing everyone cheer us on while we hopefully give you a show you can be proud of," he told this newspaper.

Miracle Faiilagi who is also a loose forward for Moana Pasifika is proud to be born and raised in Samoa. He became one of the local players to be recruited in the Moana Pasifika 2023 DHL Super Rugby PAcific Squad just last year.

He represented Samoa in the rugby sevens and was fortunate enough to be involved in other rugby programs such as the Pacific Combine.

Faiilagi said rugby in Samoa can provide opportunities for many players given proper management of the sport.

"However it depends on the person himself or herself, on their mentality on how they wish to achieve their dreams in rugby," he said.

Coming home again after being named in the Moana Pasifika last year will be one of the highlights of Faiilagi's journey. His family and friends will get a chance to see him play at Apia Park.

Miracle had caught the eye of Head Coach Aaron Mauger and Forwards Coach Leota Filo Tiatia at the last World Rugby Pacific Combine in Suva Fiji. He was one of five new sign-ins for the team.

The loose forward is described by Aaron Mauger as a natural leader who exudes humility, respect and tautua. 

"He has represented Samoa in rugby sevens so he has a solid fitness foundation, a high work rate and is hard-nosed," he said in a statement last year.

Faiilagi played his junior rugby and club rugby on the island for Vailele Rugby Club. He represented Samoa A in the 2020 World Rugby Pacific Challenge. 

Since 2021 he has represented Samoa Sevens, although missed out on selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In 2022, he attended a World Rugby talent combine, where he was scouted by Moana Pasifika and signed to their 2023 squad.

Faiilagi is of the strong belief that Samoan rugby players can rely on their culture and roots for strength and encouragement.

"Like what we do here with the boys, we have lotu every morning, before and after trainings and that's where we get the strength from and that's us being Samoan," he said.

Samoa will get its second taste of Super Rugby when the Moana Pasifika host the Queensland Reds at Apia Park on April 14 at 5pm.