Haumole Olakau’atu has hardly ever seen his dad cry, but his parents were in tears when they found out that their son was going to lead the Sipi Tau ahead of Tonga’s World Cup opener against England.
Leading the traditional war dance before matches is the highest honour any Tongan player can receive.
Jason Taumalolo and Siliva Havili have done it in the past, but Tonga unleashed a new leader on Saturday in Perth with the Sea Eagles back-rower chosen by his peers to do it.
Olakau’atu had no idea it was coming, with senior players Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake telling him in camp that he would lead them into action.
He was still emotional talking about it this week given the sacrifices his parents made when they left Tonga for Australia almost 30 years ago.
“I think by default it’s meant to be the most experienced, so I was going into camp thinking I’m not doing it at all,” he told the NewsWire.
“But then Jason and Addin came up to me and told me, it was more so ‘you’re doing it, no questions asked’. But I put my hands up and took it with both hands, so I’m very proud to lead the boys out again and hopefully I can do many more.
“There were a lot of emotions, and I was just happy and privileged to be able to lead the Sipi Tau.
“Especially when I told my family, my parents got very emotional. My dad was tearing up, which he hardly does, so it was a very emotional moment for me to be able to do that, and hopefully there will be a few more along the way.”
Olakau’atu is no stranger to the famous red jersey, but you could tell even before kick-off that this Test meant more to him.
The destructive edge forward was in tears during the anthem and then had a steely look during the Sipi Tau before he went on to score two crucial tries in the statement win.
“Every game starts off with the Sipi Tau, and mentally for me, if the Sipi Tau is good, then you go into the game with that relentless mentality,” he said.
“I needed to make sure that I had the boys rallied up, and the boys felt it. They told me after the Sipi Tau as we were getting ready to kick-off, so that was just a small part of our success and I’m just happy to do that.”
Tonga looms as a genuine threat to win the World Cup and should be far too strong for Lebanon on Friday.
And while they’re red-hot favourites, they won’t take their focus off the Cedars even with a game against old foes Samoa next week where the Sipi Tau will come up against the Siva Tau.
“That’s going to be a lot of emotions for everyone, so I’m looking forward to that,” Olakau’atu said.
“But our main focus is this week against Lebanon.”
Originally published as ‘My parents got very emotional’: The incredible honour that drove Haumole Olakau’atu and his family to tears