The Tukuafu family tree has been supplying Footscray with talented, no nonsense players for some years now.
Now, one of the Tukuafu clan wants to offer the Footscray faithful some of the lessons he’s picked up on the field in his position as newly appointed Dewar Shield assistant coach.
After visiting from NZ in 2010 for a holiday, Ikuna Tukuafu joined some of his brother’s down at Footscray Rugby Club for a bit of fun.
Eleven years later and he’s never left.
His natural talent saw him play over 100 Dewar Shield games in a career that saw him play alongside four of his brother’s and two of his cousins at Footscray.
“My older brother and I played my first two years together, before he went on to coach our senior team,” reflects Ikuna, who has nine siblings.
“At one stage, three of my brother’s were also playing in our 2nds with two of my cousins.”
With the body no longer willing but the mind still able, coaching seemed like a natural progression for Ikuna when he hung up the boots, perhaps inspired in part by his older brother’s own journey.
“I only started coaching four years ago with Footscray u/14s, before moving up to their u/16s,” admits Ikuna, who had no children of his own in those junior teams.
“It was just about giving back to my community, and they really needed help with our juniors. The juniors are the future of not just our club, but the entire sport in Victoria.”
Despite some lean years at Footscray, the appointment of Brimbank premiership winning coach Roger Tuamoheloa as the clubs new Dewar Shield head coach offers the Footscray faithful something to be excited about.
Having been around the senior’s program for over a decade now, Ikuna can already see a changing of attitude at the club.
“Our biggest challenge has always been enticing players from the west to stay out in the west. Guys often pass our club to play at other clubs.
“In just our second week of preseason though we had 35 people show up. Compared to previous years, that’s a massive change.
“A few players from Brimbank followed Roger, and a few of our former players who were at Wyndham have returned which is really good news, cause we have so much youth from last year already at the Club.”
The appointment of a full time strength and conditioning coach (a club first), as well as wrestling training and weekend club gym workouts have seen the program evolve with the times and appears to be key in playing numbers remaining strong in preseason.
But we still may be seeing the familiar Tukuafu family name on team sheets for some time yet to come.
“My youngest brother is over here (from NZ) at the moment on holiday,” says Ikuna.
Sound familiar?
“Unfortunately he’s stuck here because of the border situation.”
A little probing reveals the youngest of the Tukuafu clan was a NZ u/20 trialist two years ago and is currently in the Auckland Blues development squad.
“Dad really wants him to go back home, but…who knows?” smiles Ikuna.
The Bulldogs train Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6:30pm at Henry Turner South Reserve
