Friendships on hold for clash of Islanders

Ties of friendship and family will count for nothing when the close-knit Pacific Islands of Samoa and Fiji do battle to keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive at Eden Park on Sunday.

"We're all friends but when we come on the field it's a different story,” said Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger. “This game is the clash of the Islanders, so it will be a big one."

Hooker Ole Avei has made many friends in world rugby, having played in New Zealand, Australia and now for French Top 14 side Union Bordeaux-Bègles, but those bonds are forgotten whenever he runs on to the pitch for Samoa.

“I think it goes for all players when you have friends off the field,” he said. “Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field. You’re just playing for your country.”

Avei counts Fiji’s Sunia Koto and Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu as friends and has been in touch with them during RWC 2011, but the 28-year-old has no plans to wish his mates luck ahead of their Pool D clash.

“Nah, I probably won’t,” he said, laughing. “I’m not saying that to anyone. I’ll just keep a low profile.

Facebook friends

“There’s hasn’t been any stick or anything. Just the odd Facebook message saying, 'hi and good luck', but that’s been when they’re playing other teams.”

While Avei plans to avoid contact with Koto before the match, that will change come Sunday when he meets his fellow hooker on the pitch.

“There’s no gentlemen’s agreement,” he said. “Definitely not.”

But for Samoa's Sailosi Tagicakibau, it is more than just friendship that will be given a back seat this week.

The London Irish wing will be lining up against his brother, Michael.

And with both Fiji and Samoa needing the points if they are to progress to the quarter-finals, there will be no sentimentality.

"There's still a lot at stake and we'll probably just have to be people who know each other,” he said. “On the field, my 15 men will be my brothers then later my brother and I can be brothers again, blood brothers.

“We’re going to get together after the game, have a meal, have a chat, and maybe give a bit of banter each way. Hopefully, I will be happier than he will be.”