Rugby union: Newcastle Pasifika fueled by emotion for charity clash against Wildfires

Newcastle Pasifika will meet the Hunter Wildfires in the Tonga Tsunami Relief Charity Challenge at St John Oval, Charlestown.

The match, which kicks off at 3pm, is the brainchild of former Hunter Wildfires captain and two-time Anderson Medal winner Carl Manu.

Manu has drawn players with Samoan, Fijian, Tongan and Maori heritage together for what he hopes becomes an annual event.

Roberts, 32, plays locally for The Waratahs, captained the Wildfires reserve grade in 2020 and has made a number of Shute Shield appearances.

"Saturday will be one of the most emotional days for me because it is one of the first times I have been able to represent being a Tongan and represent the family," Roberts said. "I know it will be the same for everyone.

"One of the biggest things Carl has hammered home is that we are not a club, we are a community. We are all keen to represent that and do it the right way. The boys most disappointed are those [Polynesians] involved with the Wildfires.

"There will be a bit of feeling in the match but it will be played in the right spirit. Our team is quality and I'm really keen to see how the first 20 minutes goes. We are going to play an expansive game. We want to entertain."

Roberts will captain the side against first cousins, Tongan international, Leon Fukofuka and his younger brother Isi. Roberts' mum, Lupe, is the elder sister of and Leon's dad, former Tongan prop Kalau Fukofuka.

They grew up in Kolovai, a village on Tonga's main island, before moving to New Zealand. Lupes subsequently moved to Australia.

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Roberts was aware of his cousins but they didn't meet until Leon and Isi signed with the Wildfires last year.

"They were born and raised in New Zealand and I was born and raised here," Roberts said. "It is a massive family, you couldn't meet every cousin if you tried.

"I went to the 2019 World Cup in Japan and watched Leon play [for Tonga] against England. We spoke on the phone but because he was in camp with Tonga, we couldn't catch up.

"I got a bit of surprise when I saw he had signed with the Wildfires. It has been good to get to know each other. We have had the families over for lunches and dinners."

Kolovai was among the villages destroyed by the tsunami in January which wiped out much of the Pacific Island nation.

Proceeds from Saturday will aid a relief effort organised by Sione Finefeuiaki.

"Mum is involved with the Tongan consulate and has received reports on the devastation in Tonga," Roberts said. "The death toll could be in the thousands. It will take years to reconstruct. Hopefully, through Sione's Foundation we can get three 40-foot containers with supplies over there."

The Wildfires have a strong contingent of Polynesian players and coach Scott Coleman said they were all keen to play.

"We will start off with a pretty strong side but it is more an opportunity for our fringe players," Coleman said.

"It will be physical. We have a lot of Pasifika boys. For us the game is more about the occasion and the cause, rather than who wins.

"Carl [Manu] has done a really good thing. It is going to be a cultural festival and chance for everyone to get together."

Morning all - some links for any early yarns today.

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