Blood is thicker than water.

Aussie soccer star will be motivating the Samoa rugby league side through his cousins Frank Winterstein and Ben Roberts.

Winterstein and Cahill have been friends since childhood and their blood ties have kept them grounded and connected for love of country and family. 

A deep mutual respect and admiration for each other’s sporting achievements see the cousins taking turns in cheering from the sidelines.

Winterstein was doing just that on Tuesday night when Cahill scored his 49^th and 50^th goals for the Socceroos in a 2-0 win over Syria. 

The pair make sure to catch up and show support whenever their sporting schedules place them in the same country such as the time when the Socceroos were playing in Japan while Winterstein was playing rugby union with nearby Kintetsu Liners.

“We call each other ‘cousins and ‘brothers’.” Winterstein said of Cahill.

“ I am grateful to be able to hang out with time and see how he carries himself on and off the park. He is an inspiration to myself and for our family … Tim is a proud Samoan, he has a Samoan tattoo.

He loves hanging out with his mates, loves a game of FIFA. He will be watching how we go in the World Cup”

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill has links to the Samoan Rugby League World Cup side