Go my Friends, go 'Ikale Tahi [1]
Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 05:53. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Editor,
RUGBY in Tonga is synonymous with allegations of fraught and always fills with controversies. These are unnecessary distractions and that does no one any good. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life for us. Critics were with our grandparents, our fathers and they are with us and will be with our children and our grand children after we are gone.
You have arrived at this point in your life and career first because of your love of the game of rugby. Second you have become very good at it to be selected to the 'Ikale Tahi. Third you now have the Pride in representing your country in the most prestigious tournament of all, the World Rugby Game. Last but not the least; you have developed camaraderie in a rugby family that you are now committed to being the best and prove that you can be the best.
It is important that you convince yourself that the problem with the Tonga Rugby Union, the alleged interference from the Parliament and the criticism from the public are all irrelevant to your performance in the field. By the same token, what we or anyone think of you and the team should have no bearing on your performance. You are all professional and must realize the undisputed truth that what anybody says about anything should not have any bearing on your performance. Win, lose or tie many times comes randomly to good teams as well as bad teams. Some of us believe instinctively if not consciously that our chances at winning will be better by observing certain rituals and protocols. Despise the promise implicit in our training - if you train hard, do everything right you will win - during war, why one man died and another live, and in sport, why one team lose and the other win, in the end is still a mystery.
It is sacrilegious to even insinuate that our undivided support and our fervent prayers will better your chance or even guarantee a win. The Lord was a carpenter and probably have little patient for rugby. The winner of this World Cup and any other competition for that matter will not be decided by the most religious team.
At the end of the day, what will be important is that you give everything you got and then some more as a member of the team in the field. A real life lesson was given us by Mr. Roland, our First IX coach in 1974, "I'd rather see a you lose a game after you have given it everything you got than to win one with very little effort or luck.
The Late Sione Tavo Motu'apuka who bears the honor bestowed upon him by the late Tu'ipelehake, as the Matatolu 'a Tupou, "His Majesty's Prop" was a man of few words. His famous saying among his comrades was, "when we are in the field, nothing else matters but rugby and us"
As a commander in war, nothing else matters but the battle at hand and the man around me. The determining factor is the man around you in the battle field and in the case of Rugby, it is your team mates in the field..
This is why a Sergeant "Mad Dog William" single handedly rushed a Machine gun nest killing him in the process but saved his Marines that were pinned down in the outskirt of Iraq during Desert Storm.
It is the reason why Private "Snow White" Wilson gave up his life jumping on a live grenade saving the rest of his team.
This is the reason why the hero Kapelieli from Vava'u when in 1959 played with 5 broken ribs in the 1958 Test Match against Fiji for the Tano'a because he couldn't live with himself seeing his partner Sione Lutu Mailangi going against the fierce Fijians without him.
Please allow me to say a prayer for the Warrior's of the 'Ikale tahi as a former Combat Commander and on behalf of those who have done the Red Jersy's in the past representing our beloved country.
Almighty father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails.
Please make me aware of thy presence and obedient to thy will.
Keep me true to myself, guarding against distraction that can compromise my honest commitment to the 'Ikale Tahi's purpose and deed.
Help me so that my performance in the Rugby World Cup will allow me to face my team mates fellow players, my loved ones, my country and Thee without shame or regrets.
Give me the will to carry out my responsibility as an 'Ikale Tahi with vigor and enthusiasm.
Grant me the courage to be proficient in my performance.
Keep me loyal and faithful to my leaders and to the responsibility that the 'Ikale tahi have entrusted to me.
Make me wear the 'Ikale Tahi's uniform with dignity and let it remind me always of the traditions I must uphold.
If I am inclined fear, please steady my nerves.
If I am tempted to doubt please steady my faith.
When I fell, please help me to get up.
If I should miss my aim, give courage to try again.
Oh Lord, grant me the wisdom which I may understand the answers to my prayer and the humility to accept Thy guidance. Amen.
Go my Friends, go 'Ikale Tahi. Win, Lose or Tie, God and Tonga until we die.
We are with you. From all of us in American Samoa.
Sione Lousiale Kava
slkava [at] hotmail [dot] com ( slkava [at] hotmail [dot] com)