Taniela Tupou, as he is known among mortals, was crowned Super Rugby Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, a surprise accolade that sparked an emotional tribute to his mother Loisi and late father Malakai, who died when Tupou was just nine years old.
"I know how it feels to have nothing. I grew up with nothing back home and to be able to have all this, it seems like I can help my family have a life instead of having nothing," he said.
