Superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has delivered an impassioned speech to the Samoan squad, calling on the team’s “grit” to win a historic World Cup and forge their “legacy”.
Johnson, whose mother is a proud Samoan woman, is a former wrestler and has become one of Hollywood’s most successful actors in recent years.
Upon hearing about the Samoan side reaching their first ever World Cup final and receiving messages from the team, Johnson couldn’t help but deliver an empowering speech.
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“Agreement not to take my head off!” | 05:48
Coach Matt Parish has used vision of Samoan fans celebrating across the world to inspire his troops, and Johnson’s speech will surely inspire Toa Samoa ahead of Sunday morning’s (AEDT) final.
“Here we go, I am delivering this message with boundless love and boundless reverence and respect, and boundless pride for my boys,” Johnson said in an Instagram video.
“My usos, the Toa Samoa rugby team, they are going to the men’s final of the Rugby League World Cup.
“This is a big deal, they are making history in the world of sports, in the world of rugby, this is the first time that our island and our country, our culture of Samoa, has ever gone to the finals.
“For any sport, they are making history and I could not be more proud of them, and I just want to say a few things.”
Johnson knows what it takes the be a professional sportsman, having played American football for the University of Miami on an athletic scholarship before signing with the Calgary Stampeders in the Candian Football League.
The 50-year-old then transitioned into wrestling and was a part of the WWE for eight years prior to his illustrious acting career.
Johnson refenced the term, ‘Fa’a Samoa’ which means ‘the Samoan way’ and refers to the Samoan culture and traditions.
“This Saturday is the big game, there are a few things that I want to share with you guys, and I know you have got so much on your mind right now, pressure,” Johnson said.
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“Pressure, the pressure to deliver, the pressure to perform, you have the world watching and you have so much on your shoulders.
“Right now you are proud grandsons, proud sons, proud husbands, proud fathers, proud teammates, proud brothers, proud usos.
“I understand what it’s like to have pressure, I understand what it’s like to do stuff where the world is watching so a few things I always think about when it comes to scenarios like this.
“Number one is grit, there’s a term that you guys know, it is called ‘Fa’a Samoa’ and when I was growing up my grandfather, my grandmother and even my mum, still today we talk about grit.
“I know my Samoan always need some improvement, but that is one of the many Samoan terms that I embody because to me my grandfather always taught me, yes ‘Fa’a Samoa’ is being proud of who you are, where you come from, what’s in your blood, in your DNA.
“That’s the thing that separates us from everyone else, it is the grit, the drive, that force that you operate as if your backs are up against the wall and there is nowhere to go but ahead, but forwards.
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“It’s grit I think about and the other one is legacy, and when it comes to legacy you guys are defining your legacy right here right now.
“So when you take that field in Manchester, you have that grit and our DNA is just full of that Samoan pride and culture.
“You think about that legacy and the legacy you guys wanted to find because there’s two sides to legacy, number one is the side you’ve already made history, you’ve arrived.
“But the other side of history, this is the special side, is when you take that field in Manchester, you leave it all out on the field and you win.”
Johnson also said he would love to run our on the field with the Samoan team but would “probably get my arse kicked”.
“If I was there with you guys on Saturday I would put on that Toa Samoa jersey and I would take that field, man I’d be running that rock with you guys, I’d probably get my arse kicked,” Johnson said.
“Grit, legacy, my usos I love you, we are all so proud of you, take that field and make history.”
