Pasifika rugby players show their vulnerability and strength in the new documentary Family Faith Footy, airing this Sunday on TVNZ.
Filmmaker Jeremiah Tauamiti tells Jesse Mulligan it was humbling to hear athletes like Malakai Fekitoa and Manu Tuilagi open up about the pressures of professional rugby.
"'I'm just grateful that the boys were so vulnerable… I'm a big fan of rugby and I watch all the post-interviews for a couple of days. [In our documentary] these guys sat down and really opened themselves up and spoke about family and sacrifice and things like contracts which really impact their lives."
It was sports journalist Gregor Paul who first came up with the idea of a documentary celebrating Pasifika rugby players and their families, Jeremiah says.
When TVNZ gave them the green light, the real work began, i.e. seeing if the players and their families would be willing to talk.
Jeremiah and his crew followed Pasifika athletes to Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and the UK.
He says they got lucky when English-based Samoan player Manu Tuilangi happened to get a red card while they were there.
"There's been a lot of divine intervention along the way."
People will be touched and maybe shocked to hear what these rugby players go through, he says.
'When these guys make it, in many ways all of their families make it. And as fans, we feel like we've made it, too.'
With Fiji beating England and Samoa "pushing" Ireland last week, Jeremiah is excited to see how Pasifika players and teams go in the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Although Tonga is in the so-called "Pool of Death" the team has a great lineup, adds Adrian Sevanon, who is part of the Family Faith Footy production team.
"I'm really interested to see if they can tip up one of those big teams."
Family Faith Footy - A Pasifika Rugby Story airs on TVNZ1 at 8:30pm this Sunday and will be streaming on TVNZ+ after that.
