Footscray captain Martin Naufahu grew up dreaming of a professional rugby career.
The inside centre even let his mind wander to thoughts of playing international rugby.
He was born in Auckland to Tongan parents and when it became apparent to Naufahu that a career as an All Black had faded, the prospect of featuring for his parents’ nation became real.
Now Naufahu has made Tonga’s squad for a second time for next month’s Pacific Nations Cup.
It is a huge opportunity for the 25-year-old to make his mark at a tournament of significance if he can convince the coach of his credentials.
“I’m pretty excited,” Naufahu told Star Weekly.
“Any time you get called up to represent your country, you’re pretty proud.
“It’s another opportunity for me to try to get a Test cap.
“I was selected for last year’s Pacific Nations Cup. I made it to the bench but didn’t get onto the field, so this is a second chance I guess.”
Naufahu is not your average import.
The Truganina resident has bought into the culture of his club in his four years in Melbourne, so much so that Footscray made him skipper this season.
“I was pretty proud,” Naufahu said. “I was up to the challenge and I’m one of the senior players at the club with a lot of players moving on from last season.
“What the coach sees in me is that I lead the boys with my actions and I want to continue to lead by my actions and be the best I can.”
The Bulldogs have not exactly set the world on fire in recent times, but Naufahu has stayed loyal to the club that accepted him into the fold and aided in his selection for Melbourne Rising, a pathway to the Rebels in Super Rugby.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve been with Footscray all the way,” Naufahu said.
“It’s been tough recently but when I first came we did pretty well to make finals in the first year.
“In the second year we made quarters but things haven’t worked out recently. We haven’t had a solid coach … it’s been a different coach each year and it’s hard to adjust to each coach. We’re missing the continuity.”
Naufahu has never given up his childhood dream and is still clawing away at a maiden Test cap and a professional rugby career.
“That’s been my dream since I was a boy,” Naufahu said. “I want to try to make a Super rugby team but my goal is to just become a professional rugby player to get paid to play. It’s hard when you’ve been trying for this long, but with opportunities like this [with Tonga], it gives me another boost to push even harder and put in extra work.”
Tonga’s first game in the Pacific Nations Cup will be against Fiji on June 11, followed by games against Georgia and Samoa.
