Tuilagi mouthguard and rugby boots on the auction block

Tuilagi mouthguard and rugby boots being auctioned on TradeMe.

The 2011 rugby world cup will be talked about for many years not just for all the drama with IRB, but for a wonderful tournament New Zealand and for the colourful fans that made it a success. In the mix is the Tuilagi brothers, blockbusting Manu Samoa winger and younger brother, England centre Manu Tuilagi who have become rugby world cup cult heroes for their barnstorming runs.

Controversy over the $10,000 fine each that the Tuilagi's received from IRB for wearing a branded mouth guard this week lead to suggestions that mouthguard supplier OPRO was involved in ambush marketing. However, the British company's managing director, Anthony Lovat, has spoken out saying he was horrified at the assertion, and insisted no players were encouraged to wear its branded mouthguards during any international rugby tournament.

But for Samoa boxing promoter Pa'u Fereti Puni, the publicity and having persuaded Manu Samoan winger Tuilagi to hand over his 2011 world cup mouthguard and rugby boots before boarding his plane for England yesterday, it was about seizing the moment.

Puni who has been championing the resurrection of professional boxing in Samoa and the Pacific in the last five years saw an opportunity to raise the much needed funds while watching the news and having dinner with the Tuilagi family on Tuesday evening. Why not ask Alesana for the mouth guard and auction it on TradeMe?

According to Puni, "Boxing is the poor cousin of rugby in the Pacific, yet like rugby, the Pacific has so much talent but lacks the resources to participate in the much needed international tournaments. You should see the boxing ring we train in and use for weekly tournaments; the floor is concrete with light padding. Just make sure you remain standing at the end of each round."

Tuilagi who plays for Leicester Tigers in England knows very well the struggles faced by aspiring sports people in the Pacific and needed very little persuasion to part with his world cup rugby boots and mouthguard - both being autographed and a photo to authenticate the items now auctioned on TradeMe.

In 2006, the handbag used by former All Blacks Tana Umaga to hit Hurricane team mate Chris Masoe after the Super 14 final fetched $23,000 NZD on TradeMe.

Puni hopes to fetch more especially for a worthy cause and sees the Tuilagi auctioned as a lifeline for the development of professional boxing in Samoa.

"The most urgent need is to raise $6,000 NZD to pay for NZ visa fees and return airfares to get two boxers and their trainer over to New Zealand to participate in a boxing tournament in Auckland next Friday," says Puni.

"For the rest of this year, it's close to impossible to get any sponsorship in Samoa. Just about every spare sene (cent) was donated towards the Manu Samoa in order to participate in the rugby world cup."

Lauaki Fereti Tuilagi, agent and eldest of the Tuilagi brothers is certain there will be a strong interest from England where Alesana and Manu currently play for Leicester Tigers. The autographed rugby boots was Fereti's (Freddie) idea. Being the eldest meant little resistance from the hulking Alesana who had to open his suitcase to get the shoes and mouth guard.

Freddie was the first of the Tuilagi brothers to settle in England, followed by Enele (Henry), Alesana (Alex) and Anitelea (Andy) who all played for the Tigers. Vavae later followed into Leicester's academy and finally Manu, his full Christian name, Manu Samoa, named in honour of Fereti becoming the first of the Tuilagis to play for Samoa and was a member of the Manu Samoa world cup team of 1991 and 1995, the only time Samoa made it to the quarterfinals.

Although sad to see the Manu Samoa making an early departure from the world cup, the wonderful gesture by Tuilagi will certainly give another talent from Samoa an opportunity to follow their dream.

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