LONDON – Samuela Vunisa’s mother is no stranger to waking early on Sundays, but for the past two weeks she has had an extra reason for rising early.
Church is the usual reason, but in recent weeks her son’s selection as number eight for Italy have had her setting the alarm a little earlier in Fiji.
For their first Rugby World Cup match, against France, she and the rest of the Vunisa clan had to be in front of the television by 7am, while the fixture against Canada began at 1.30am.
“She got up, watched the matches and then went to church,” Vunisa said.
“Family back home were really emotional and really happy. My Mum was wearing an Italian jersey and everyone tried to sing the Italian national anthem, but they couldn’t understand much of it. I was happy for them and they were happy for me.
“The two matches were very emotional and I’m very thankful to have been able to have played in them. I thought of my family back home and I just wanted to give my all for them.
“Playing France at Twickenham was very humbling for me. Playing my first World Cup, and in less than a year in international rugby, and to have been involved in an occasion like that was very humbling and a great occasion.”
Vunisa began both matches in the number eight shirt after he was chosen to fill in for captain Sergio Parisse, who was recovering from surgery to reduce a haematoma on his right calf at home in Paris.
Parisse finally joined the squad on Tuesday and is determined to be fit for Italy’s match against Ireland at the Olympic stadium on Sunday.
“The atmosphere is the same,” Vunisa said.
“He came in and cracked some jokes and is one of the boys again. It didn’t feel like he’s been away at all.
“He is a big part of Italian rugby for the last decade or so.
