All Blacks called but I’m a proud Samoan – Alapati Leiua

Wasps star Alapati Leiua has revealed why brotherly love caused him to knock back New Zealand in favour of a Test career with Samoa, the country of his birth.
Currently on Samoa’s European tour, Leiua could have become an All Black after being invited to link-up with Steve Hansen’s squad for the 2013 June Tests.
But the former Hurricanes centre followed his heart by opting for Samoa and a reunion with his brother, hard-hitting London Irish flanker Ofisa Treviranus, right.
Leiua, 26, told The Rugby Paper: “It was a hard decision and there were a lot of challenges facing me. New Zealand coach Ian Foster called and said I could join the All Blacks squad, but I thought Samoa was a good route.
“I spoke to a lot of people, especially family, and it means everything to play for Samoa. You’re playing for your family, your country and all the people of Samoa and, for me, it was the right decision because I’m proud to represent my country.
“Another reason was my brother. Ofisa and I have different surnames because I was adopted by an uncle in New Zealand, but we grew up in Samoa and did a lot of stuff together so it’s great to be playing alongside him.
“After he moved abroad and I was in New Zealand we hardly had any time together so it’s great to be having fun again, especially in the game that we love.”
He added: “I was nervous after turning down New Zealand but I’m happy now that I made the right choice and I’m 100 per cent committed to Samoa. As a team we want to improve our game and build up towards next year’s World Cup.”
Leiua aims to follow in the footsteps of other Samoan midfield greats such as Seilala Mapusua, Brian Lima and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, but says he also owes a debt of gratitude to his former Hurricanes partner, All Black centre Conrad Smith.
He said: “Conrad is a guy who taught me a lot. He’s a humble guy, I love him for it, and he just does every little thing right. He’s someone I watched and learned from and I’ve got huge respect for him as a player and as a person.
“Hopefully, what Conrad taught me will help me to follow in the footsteps of guys like Maps, Eliota and Brian. They played with such passion and did a great job for Samoa, so it’s up to us guys now to step up and do our country proud as well.”
England await on November 22, Leiua adding: “We’re focused on Canada next week first but England are one of the top teams in the world and we’ll make sure we’re ready for that game.
“I haven’t played at Twickenham before but I was there when Wasps played Saracens at the start of the season. I couldn’t play then but hopefully I’ll get another chance.”
NEALE HARVEY