Our Grey Lynn neighbourhood in Auckland is thrilled. Word gets out that Manu Samoa are staying in our street.
There are Manu Samoa flags flying and kids enthusiastically join me this morning in an impromptu visit to the team.
Manu Samoa prop Census Johnson reckons his team have a good chance of winning the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand over the next six weeks.
“We're excited about the World Cup. The win over Australia has given us a confidence boost,” he says.
Manu Samoa beat Australia 32-23 in a stunning upset in Sydney in July.
Johnson played for Ponsonby when he was 19 and he now plays for French Top 14 champions and four-times European champions.
Nine of his Toulouse teammates are also in Auckland – but playing for the French team, also based in Auckland.
“It is great to see them here. I am going to catch up with them this afternoon,” Johnson says.
Grey Lynn’s local St Joseph’s Catholic Church is flying a banner proudly welcoming the team.
Parish members Angnes Gangy and Tuliana Guthrie put on a morning tea for members of the team after today’s Sunday service.
‘Natural air conditioning’
Fatu Tauafiafi is the media manager for Manu Samoa and also chief reporter of the Samoa Observer.
Tauafiafi said the team was happy to be here and laughs at the “natural air conditioning” they were receiving as a result of the cold day.
He said he would be meeting with Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi this week, who is here for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit
“I hope there will be a chance to discuss social issues in the Pacific at the Forum. Child poverty for Samoan children in New Zealand is a big issue, especially in South Auckland,” Tauafiafi says.
Karen Abplanalp is a photographer and writer on the Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Studies course at AUT University. She is also a mother in the Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn.
Karen Abplanalp
