Pale Pouli reckons it is eight years since he and younger brother Mone last started a match together.
And that was for the Linwood Keas rugby league team when the pair was living in Christchurch.
So, when Nelson College midfield back Mone put his hand up to play for the new Tasman Pasifika rugby side, Pale followed.
It was a renewed bond for the Motueka sibling rivals as they combined as inside backs.
“Mone replaced me in the Nelson College team last year. Out with the old, in with the new,” quips Pale.
The 19-year-old concentrated on boxing after winning a 2024 South Island Golden Gloves youth 80kg title in just his second bout.
Pale likes to press forward, with a right upper cut his key weapon, and is philosophical about losing more fights than he has won.
“You lose some, you win some.”
Reunited with Mone, he cut Country to pieces with his incisive running in their inaugural rugby clash in Riwaka earlier this month.
Ironically, the NTI automotive engineering student starred for Country in its two matches against Town last year.
“It was always a dream of ours to play rugby together in the same team. It was always something we were good at in league,” declares the utility back, who played first five for Tasman Pasifika.
Pale had only made two appearances for Huia in Div 2 rugby this year, but changed gears as he set up and then finished off the new side’s first try from long range.
“I was the game driver, so I had to raise the bar. I enjoyed pulling the boots back on and having fun. It is just great to have that connection with the boys,” says Pale.
He didn’t have to worry about goal kicking responsibilities either.
“Mone and I are very competitive. He came up to me before the match and said,' I am taking over the kicking'. So I said,' you want it, you own it',” reveals Pale.
Mone matched his older sibling, running from halfway to score the side’s second try.
“I love to compete against my brother,” says Mone of their rivalry.
Pale was watching on, after injuring his ankle at the end of a 50-metre solo break which ended just short of the goal line, when Mone lined up a penalty shot at goal to win the match.
“This is an exciting finish. It is what we like to see, giving entertainment to the crowd,” declares Pale as we paused the sideline interview.
Mone duly slotted the matchwinner and Pale made his way back onto the field to congratulate his 17-year-old brother and teammates.
“It was luck, pure faith, as the confidence was out of there,” says the normally very self-assured Mone, who started at halfback and then switched to fullback in the reshuffle that followed his brother’s injury.
“It was great being in the Tasman Pasifika team together. It was an honour and a privilege to play for these boys. I love the concept of a Pasifika team,” enthuses the Year 12 student.
While he punches above his weight, Mone doesn’t plan to follow his brother into the ring.
“I like physicality, but I am more of a team player.”
With that in mind, the gamebreaker is eyeing a switch to No.8 next year which would bring him closer to the action and suit his dynamic running.
As for Pale, now his rugby passion has reignited, playing for Kahurangi appeals.
