By Graham Thomas
It’s a feature of Tongan rugby players that they all claim to be related to someone better known and Carwyn Tuipulotu was never going to buck that trend.
The South Sea Islanders have been an integral part of the Welsh rugby scene for over 30 years and it appears they all belong to one huge extended family.
Everyone is “cuz” or “bro” to a player who has gone before and in Scarlets back row powerhouse Tuipulotu that meant links to the Faletau and Vunipola families.
It was not enough that Tuipulotu is the son of Kati Tuipulotu, a Tongan international who played in Wales at the 1999 World Cup and then stayed around to serve Dunvant, Neath, Ebbw Vale and New Brighton in Merseyside.
The problem for Tupulotu , who was pulling up trees as a youngster, was that he was seen as “the new Taulupe Faletau” or “next Billy Vunipola” when he had hardly begun being the original Carwyn Tuipulotu.
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The 22-year-old admits it has affected his progress – which has been uneven – but now he has wrapped his head around it and can move on when the United Rugby Championship kicks off again this weekend.
“I’ve learned now how to handle that, almost just to ignore it, and to remind myself about the enjoyment of the game,” he says.
“There was a time when I forgot about that and I was just putting pressure on myself, trying to be the player that everyone wants to talk about.
“Now I just keep thinking about when I first started playing with my friends as a nine-year-old at New Brighton RFC. Just having enjoyment is the big thing.
“I have done a lot of work over the past three years with psychologists and mental performance coaches, picking up techniques.
“It has all been about reminding me of when I was a little kid and playing purely for the enjoyment of the game. Not trying to think too far ahead and remaining grounded.
“There was a lot of media attention on me when I first came to Wales. It was quite easy for my head to be above the clouds. It was nice to see all the media stuff, but I had to mature a bit.”
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The old world media has generally been a kind place to the Scarlets forward, if a little impatient and unrealistic.
But it was on social media that the former Wales U20 star discovered impatience can quickly turn to abuse.
“The media is a very scary place, and I had to learn that. You get the good and then the bad of it. Very early I had to learn that people are always going to say the worst things about you. You have to keep to one mindset.
“Every player gets it. The links that were made between me and my cousins, Taulupe Faletau and the Vunipola brothers, meant they were expecting a certain level of play from me because of that.
“But players develop at different times. With my cousin Sisi and Kepulu with Wales and Bath at the moment, I’ve been trying to pass on to them the experience I’ve had and to just play their own game and enjoy what they’re doing. There is no point in getting ahead of yourself.”
“Phenomenal Athlete” Carwyn Tuipulotu Signs Long Term Deal With Scarlets
Like most Tongan players in Wales, the Abergavenny-born Tuipulotu is big on the three F’s – family, faith and food.
Fellow Scarlet Tongans Vaea Fifita and Sam Lousi make sure he doesn’t stray too far from the flock, whilst away from the club, he keeps it simple.
“Vaea is a big influence of bringing that culture into me. I was born and raised in the UK and been here all my life so I haven’t really got to connect with that heritage side of my family.
“Vaea has shown me a lot and helped me on the field as well. He and Sam have almost become like big brothers to me. I am the baby brother of the tribe. They keep me to one side and keep me on track.”
“Family, faith and rugby are all big parts of the Tongan culture.
“It’s a tough way to earn a living and there are some days when you question yourself. But I just think about my wife and my family and that inspires me to keep improving as a player and a person.
“It’s not an easy sport, and there are plenty of challenges, but seeing them all at the end of the game makes it all worth it.
“I live in Cross Hands and my family moved down just before lockdown happened. I have two sisters, plus mum and dad. We eat a lot of hog roasts, yams and potatoes – a lot of meat.
“That’s the Tongan diet. Sometimes, I have to stay away from my mother’s Tongan kitchen.”
The other nourishment Tuipulotu will be seeking this season will take the form of better results for the Scarlets.
He made 15 appearances for the region last season and won just five times. Across three seasons, he has played 37 matches and been on the winning side in only nine of them.
But he insists: “It’s a new team and it’s definitely going to be a better season.
“As a group we have put a line in the sand and we want to go out and earn everyone’s respect. We want to make people remember us as a team.”
There are some other ambitions, too, but once again, people may need to be patient.
“I’ve put on some more muscle and I’m a little bit heavier. It’s definitely a big ambition for me to play for Wales and follow in the footsteps of Taulupe Faletau.
“Playing for Wales has always been a goal of mine ever since I joined the Scarlets. I’m just trying to keep my head down, work hard and see what happens.”
Little Cousin Carwyn Aims To Be Chip Off The Faletau/Vunipola Block
