Tears flowed freely in the Faingaa household today as twins Saia and Anthony get set to follow the footsteps of Australia's most famous rugby siblings.
Second five-eighth Anthony Faingaa and older brother by five minutes Saia were among three new faces in the Wallabies starting line-up to face the All Blacks here on Saturday night.
They replace Berrick Barnes and hooker Stephen Moore respectively, while the other change sees Kurtley Beale introduced at fullback, also for his first test start against the All Blacks. He pushes Adam Ashley-Cooper into the centre berth vacated by the injured Rob Horne.
The Faingaa brothers, key elements of a resurgent Queensland Reds side in the Super 14, are the first Wallabies twins to start a test together since backline maestros Mark and Glen Ella in 1983.
"We had the honour to actually meet them," the dreadlocked Saia Faingaa said.
"To be considered half as good as them would be a great honour. They did a lot for their country and hopefully, we can do the same."
Never mind emotions before kick-off on Saturday, the 23-year-olds of Tongan descent were high on adrenaline today and spoke openly about their close relationship and what their co-selection would mean for their family.
"It's kind of surreal, because we were contemplating playing Super 14 together and now to do it on the world arena playing for Wallabies is unbelievable," Saia said.
"To have your best mate doing it with you is a pretty great honour. I know all our family's proud of what we've achieved so far."
Indeed, the pair were on the phone home as soon as coach Robbie Deans confirmed their selection and Saia said it was hard to get a word out of them.
"Dad was crying, mum was crying, I think my little brother was crying as well."
Little brother is ACT Brumbies flanker Colby, whose progress suggests he is a strong candidate to also wear the canary yellow jersey in the near future.
Anthony said he was "shocked" to start, having made his test debut in last week's 49-28 loss to the All Blacks in Melbourne and impressing in marking powerhouse Ma'a Nonu.
"But at the same time, there's a job to be done," he said.
"I always knew this time was going to come. I've just got to make sure that I'm right for the challenge."
Deans said the Faingaas provided more direct options than the men they replaced, while Beale would assume the second playmaking and kicking role which Barnes held in Melbourne.
A new face on the reserve bench is winger Cameron Shepherd, who has suffered all week from a stomach bug and still needs to be cleared by medical staff.
