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Namulauulu Alama Ieremia “All roads lead to Samoa”

Namulauulu Alama Ieremia is a success story. A world-class rugby player, he played thirty tests for the All Blacks and five for Manu Samoa.Away from sports, Alama has two university degrees, a proud father to two boys and a son who rushes home to Samoa to share every ounce of spare time with his father, Reverend Elder Lale Ieremia.Alama is in Samoa on a three-week break before Super rugby’s pre-season training starts in earnest.In a telephone interview with the Samoa Observer, he’s reveling being back on Samoan soil.“It’s always good being in Samoa,” he said. “It’s nice catching up with my father and family and spend some time in the plantation and helping out with chores.”Samoa is home it’s where it all started.“All roads for me start and always come back to Samoa,” he said. “Whenever I’m home, I’m re-energised and my soul’s revitalised, something that’s always benefited me before heading back [to New Zealand and work].”In Super rugby, Alama has the distinction of scoring the first try in the competition when he played for the Hurricanes against the Blues in 1996.And today, he’s successfully made the transition from player to Hurricanes’ assistant coach. Already his astute stewardship has been a major factor in young players careers like Hurricanes winger Julian Savea who made his All Blacks debut this year.Another, Jeffery Latu Toomaga-Allen is expected to graduate to All Blacks honours soon.“It’s a big call, I know, but I think Jeffery will be an All Black very quickly,” says Alama.