Cool podcast. Two of the most entertaining players to watch growing up. Hard to believe Taniela only played for 4 years yet he is still regarded as one of the greats.
Heya There Manu and Sione, it’s amazingly refreshing and also entirely thought provoking listening to manu’s real and painful testimony, I say painful because listening to manu just put it all out there is incredibly admirable, which also is incredibly respectful. Without going into too much details, it’s so cool to know that y many still has an army of staunch loyal and trusted people that can actually see that yes we all make mistakes but that admitting fault, accepting fault and coming to terms with the situation and rather than simply just talking about it, manu is clearly being about it as well. I’m a 30 year old proud pommie from Manchester, and I can relate to what Manu was saying, my sperm donor slung his hook as soon as he knew he was going to be a father, and the day I was born, I was found in a dumpster outside the Manchester hospital, I never knew my parents and my childhood was daily beatings, prolonged physical beatings from govt approved foster home guardians that caused every bone in my body from the ages of a year old to the age of 15 to be broken, I was also unable to prevent the decade long traumas of being raped by not just one but many, of those caregivers that just saw me as a meal ticket and growing up with no family, zero stupport networks of any kind made it very very tough to understand any proposed framework of how to not keep giving my power away by continuing to use my childhood apbringing as a crutch which also was a form of control for those people that spent years hurting me, instead I used all my negative as a daily reason to be simply a better version of myself tomorrow. . My childhood was incredibly traumatic and deeply painful but it’s my motivation and daily driving force to be the change I wanna see in the world. And after hearing your story Manu, and also Sione for facilitating the platform, I just simply wanna say thankyou for sharing your story, I deeply respect both Sione and Manu, and I’m certainly not a geezer who judges, not at all. I wish you all the best and I truly hope that in time you both truly find what it is in life that you want in your life. Not everyday is guaranteed to us as a human people. So we owe it to those that truly care and watch over us to indeed be the change we wanna see in the world. Peace be your journey Manu and thanks for letting your guard down for a min.. PEACE BE YOUR JOURNEY..
Beautiful kōrero brothers 🙏🏽 sometimes you just gotta experience the bad to appreciate the good things in life. All that behind you now, keep it pushing ✊🏽
I applaud you Manu for your bravery in speaking out about your life experiences & journey. Takes a REAL MAN to open up hidden wounds, please dont be embarrassed you have alot more support then you think. God see's the good in you, nothing but love for you. You are still THE BEAST in our eyes 💯 Psalms 147:3
Real men, real strength, real love. Absolutely nothing to be ashamed about your past bro, it's what you make of your future that matters. You'll always be a hero to me and a massive inspiration ❤
It all started from rejection. He doubted himsel m spiralled from there... But thank God he didnt give up coz he could had easily ended it all... Manu live for today, tomorrow, and future...❤
So happy you did your interview with Sione. 😢 sometimes the lord puts you in his silence and removed you from the world. What you did was wrong. But life moves even when others don't want it to for you. It will always go around the sun Another chance to live a day, cherish your closest ones and live your life. Live your life Manu.
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of what you've been thinking and going through.... Kia Kaha Manu, its heart sinking to know what you've gone through but I'm so happy to see that you're in the process of healing as well as have the immense amount of love and support. im just mamae ,what a platform to sharing on to and with a close brother aswell , just the warmth and respect . I just could feel the Aroha and mamae through my screen. 😭❤
I'm not going to judge this guy, but I'm also not going to praise him, just because he was a sporting idol in NZ.. Just want to try and put into context here. The damage and hurt that people like him do to society is irreparable.The main driving force is predominantly greed. As a proud American Polynesian growing up in the tough neighbourhoods of San Bernardino, California, and witnessing first hand the destruction that these drugs can do to individuals, families and society causes utter devastation. Witnessing people hooked on the drugs these guy's peddle. Users turning to crime eg killings, robberies, home invasions etc to finance their addictions. Although he was once a sporting role model. That shouldn't give him a free pass. However i do applaud him for being brave enough too front up to the camera, and i sincerely hope he's realised the errors of his ways. Time will tell, I'll reserve my judgement.
Appreciate your story Taniela. One of my sons favourite players from his beloved Tigers. Such a challenging place to be as a professional athlete, working through season/career ending injuries, not getting the help you expected let alone all the other burdens you had to bear. Pray those who were meant to help and can help will move to do so Taniela. Malo lava le faasoa ma le faamalosi.
This is your year manu your still a young man it's easy to see your a good man too so you ha e everything you need to get back on track, you got it uso
Power and thunder thighs, many players learn’t the hard way when this guy laid them on their arses😂 I truly hope the RLPA reaches out and gives him more support. Devastating toko!
Keep pushing Dox..your on the right track now brother and surrounding yourself with the brothers and your family is the best thing for you..proud of where you are now dox..your an inspiration my bro❤
Kia kaha kia maia kia manawa nui manu at the end of the day your just another brother from another mother we will always remember the beast!!!! Who kept us on the edge with those storming runs i hope your health and family are well jah bless and guide💪😎💚💛❤️
Much love brother, the way you have picked yourself up and to use your life experiences both good and bad as a platform to help others is massive. I applaud you for having the courage to speak out about your darkest time of your life and what it took for you to overcome it. Always know you are a great person Manu and you will always have people to turn to when you need the help. Chur ma brother ❤
Good on you manu I bet you fell so much better after this interview brother opening up like that should definitely make you feel better keep going brother
What you did or what you do does not define who you are. It takes a lot of courage to share what you been through. This is just the beginning for you Manu. Rooting for you! Your story does not end here.