Proud father Selesele Pene and brother Ami Selesele infront of the two cars, Falemiga bought, and the shop at Satupaitea he built from rugby earnings.

By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Watching Falemiga Selesele, 23, raise the Dubai Sevens Cup Sunday morning was a proud moment for his father Selesele Pene.

“Our whole village was praying and urging our team on,” said Selesele.

“I’m very proud of my youngest son. I’m sure his mother, who passed away some years ago, is also proud.”

Falemiga’s older brother Ami, the elder Selesele said, was the Manu Samoa sevens star’s guardian and mentor.

“He (Falemiga) was not very good at school,” said Ami who is a teacher at the local primary school at Satupaitea, “in fact, he was very weak.”

“His father wanted him to get a job immediately after Year 8 but I saw a lot of athletic potential in him.”

While attending Palauli College, Falemiga took part in the Uesiliana College athletics meet where he excelled in the 400 and 800 meters.

Falemiga’s big break came in 2007 when Uesiliana College toured New Zealand.

“He was outstanding on that tour and one school in Auckland offered him a scholarship,” said Ami.

“But he never took that scholarship up. When he came back he was selected for the National Under 19 squad that toured Argentina that year. From there he was selected to the Samoa A squad and won best player for the tour to Great Britain they had in 2008. And then came the sevens call ups.”

Since, Falemiga has been able to open a shop for his family at Satupaitea and bought his father and brothers three cars.

“He doesn’t drink nor smoke and I don’t know if he has a girlfriend but he has bought a lot of things for family with his earnings,” said Ami.

“He lives with our aunt at Moata’a where he plays his rugby but still contributes to the village as well as the church’s annual peleti as well as the pastor’s offerings.”

The IRB series moves to Port Elizabeth this weekend and Selesele said the whole village will again be keenly watching, looking out for Falemiga.

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