Tuipulotu cousins // The Rugby Journal

The Tuipulotu cousins photographed for The Rugby Journal. Siblings Sisilia, 19 and Kepu, 17 along with their cousin, Carwyn, 21 are pictured wearing the traditional Tongan dress (a ta’ovala). The shoot took place at Hope Methodist Church in Pontnewydd, S. Wales, where the Tongan rugby community has revived an ageing congregation.

Rugby has drawn Tongans to Wales since the 90s. Carwyn, Sisilia and Kepu are the offspring of a rugby lineage – their fathers are the Tuipulotu cousins, Kati and Sione, who have 16 and 28 respective caps for Tonga.

Among many other achievements, Carwyn plays at the back of Scarlets Rugby scrum, Sisilia plays for Gloucester Hartpury and was awarded player of the tournament for the recent TikTok Six Nations, and Kepu is hooker at Harrow school and plays for England under 18s.

Breaking barriers and inspiring Tongan and Welsh youth alike, these 3 are ones to watch!