Australian Wallaby lock Adam Coleman has opened up about his Tongan heritage in a recent interview with Rugby Australia. The  25-year-old 6' 8" foot lock debuted for the Wallabies this year. He plays his rugby for the Western Force in the Super Rugby competition.

Adam Coleman's father was Pau'u Afeaki, who captained the 1983 'Ikale Tahi rugby team. Pau'u passed away when Adam was only 12-years-old, and he was raised by his Australian mother in Hobart, Tasmania.

He told Rugby Australia, “I always think about my mum and dad before I run out, it's something that always motivates you every game because you know you want to make them proud,”

“They sacrificed so much for me, especially my mum. She raised me as a single parent and the sacrifice she made is massive and I always wear my mum on my left wrist when I run out to play and it's pretty special for me.”

Adam credited a Tongan Aunty of his for keeping him connected to his Tongan heritage. "My aunty, she lives in Auckland, she made sure that I didn't drift away from my Tongan side. I always go visit her every year and she really made sure that I do know where I'm from, where my dad's from, the history of our family and how big our family actually is.”

“I think a massive part of me playing rugby is to still be associated with my culture,” 

Adam Coleman is the 895^th rugby player to wear the Australian Wallaby jersey. He has played nine tests so far the Wallabies and has scored two tries.