Onesemo-Tuilaepa twins
At just 20 years old, the Onesemo-Tuilaepa sisters are part of a new wave of Pacific athletes who proudly blend their cultural roots with high-performance sports. For them, their journey is drawn on their skin - literally.
They wear the malu, a special Samoan tattoo given to women as a symbol of protection, service, and pride in their heritage.
"Wearing our malu on the world stage reminds us of the responsibility and honour we hold," Demielle shares.
"Whenever we step onto that field, we carry our family, community, and culture with us. It's a powerful feeling that keeps us motivated."
Posted 16m ago 16 minutes ago Fri 27 Jun 2025 at 4:10am
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Samoa's twin sisters Christabelle and Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa are part of a new wave of pacific athletes proudly blending cultural roots with high performance sport
Twin sisters Christabelle and Demielle Onosemo-Tuilaepa have made headlines over the past year since they burst onto the rugby league scene representing New Zealand in the Ahi Kā Aotearoa squad. Now they've switched codes and countries pulling on the blue jersey for Samoa with Manusina. But their story goes much deeper than just that game. At just 20 years old, they are part of a new wave of Pacific athletes who proudly blend their cultural roots with high-performance sports. For them, their journey is literally drawn on their skin. They wear the malu, a special Samoan tattoo given to women as a symbol of protection, service and pride in their heritage. "Wearing our malu on the world stage reminds us of the responsibility and honour we hold," Demielle said. "Whenever we step onto that field, we carry our family, community and culture with us. It's a powerful feeling that keeps us motivated." Representing Samoa For these sisters, rugby isn't just a game. It's a sacred space where who they are, their family, and their faith all come together. Their debut was a proud moment, not just for their team and supporters, but for their village back home and the generations that came before. "Representing Samoa means everything to us," Christabelle said. "I had to leave my parents, siblings, and village at a young age, but wearing this jersey and representing Samoa makes it all worth it." Demielle and Christabelle with their family ( Supplied ) This cultural weight isn't a burden, it's their strength. "Our power and toughness are our superpowers," Demielle said. "That Pasifika strength runs in our veins. However, it's not just about being physically strong. It's about using that strength with discipline and working together." Training overseas for big competitions isn't just about fitness and game plans. For Christabelle and Demielle, their foundation is even deeper — it's spiritual. "We stay grounded through prayer," Christabelle said. "That keeps us steady. We start and end every day with God, and that gives us peace and clarity." It's a rhythm they've committed to and one that will be important this weekend, as they gear up for Manusina's next clash against Australia A in Canberra tomorrow. With a powerful opponent ahead, the twins are leaning into everything they've built. "We've put in the work — now it's about trusting ourselves and enjoying the moment," said Christabelle. "I want to do my role well and serve my team with everything I have." Demielle added: "My biggest goal is to enjoy the moment, to play the game I love with joy and freedom, but also to be someone my teammates can rely on." It will be another test of their strength, discipline and unity, values deeply rooted in both their culture and preparation. The twin connection Being twins gives them a special connection that training alone can't teach. On the field, knowing each other's moves, moods and pace has become one of their biggest advantages. "We always say: if one of us shines, we both shine," Christabelle said. "When one is feeling down, the other lifts them. Playing together is a blessing." "She's my anchor," Demielle said. "Having her beside me always feels like home, no matter where we are in the world." Their bond isn't just about playing, it's about that unspoken sisterly language - in tackles, tries, words of encouragement, and quiet moments before a game. Now that their debut is behind them, the twins are focusing on growing, not just for themselves, but for their team and the next generation of young Samoan girls. The Onesemo-Tuilaepa twins have switched codes and countries now representing Samoa in rugby for Manusina ( Supplied ) "We're both working on improving ourselves," Christabelle said. "But our real goal is to be relentless. I want to do my part well and support my team with everything I've got." "I want my teammates to trust me," Demielle said. "It's the small things — communicating, doing that extra bit — that make a difference." Their long-term dream? Seeing more young Samoan girls chase their rugby dreams, whether they're in Samoa or the diaspora, staying true to who they are. "Never give up on your goals," Christabelle said. "Even when no one is watching, keep showing up. You belong on that field just as much as anyone." "Say yes to the tough moments," Demielle said. "Believe in yourself, even if you're unsure. Your culture is your biggest strength. Keep going — we're cheering for you." For Christabelle and Demielle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, the malu isn't just ink. It's a daily reminder of their role to serve, carry and inspire. Their legacy isn't just about what they do in 80 minutes of rugby, it's about honouring their ancestors and paving the way for those who come after. And this, they say, is just the start.
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Onesemo-Tuilaepa twins
At just 20 years old, the Onesemo-Tuilaepa sisters are part of a new wave of Pacific athletes who proudly blend their cultural roots with high-performance sports. For them, their journey is drawn on their skin - literally. They wear the malu, a special Samoan tattoo given to women as a symbol of protection, service, and pride in their heritage. "Wearing our malu on the world stage reminds us of the responsibility and honour we hold," Demielle shares. "Whenever we step onto that field, we carry our family, community, and culture with us. It's a powerful feeling that keeps us motivated." Posted 16m ago 16 minutes ago Fri 27 Jun 2025 at 4:10am
