Before we even begin this blogging journey, it would be criminal for me not to comment on where you are presently residing in this social networking context.  What you are about to read is the Second in the series with All Black Prop, Neemia Tialata.  As the term “second” denotes, we have been here before.  Last week, we had our first session together, as Neemia went, On the Record, Off the Hook, in the context of Family.  I would compel you, with the multiple use of three-plus-syllable words to check out the first post, where you will also find the details to the things that were preparatory.  If you must… GO!

Heads-up: The discussion with Neemia starts with the emboldened heading.  If this blogger’s introduction is passe, you have the “freedom in blogging” to move to this beginning… RIGHT NOW!  Just read these rules of engagement, as I quote myself, so all will make reading sense.

Let me explain what I have tried to achieve in this Interview, and where we will be heading.  Let’s hold hands because I am afraid of the dark… conceptually speaking! [1] I know it will surprise many of you, but this is my first interview, so I am a rookie at the experience, but I use my brain… on occasions, so I have questions that I would like to get answers on.  [2] In presenting our digression together, I have tried to give it the natural flow that was in the audio, thereby hoping that it reads real and not theoretical. [3] While I am wont to talk, when Neemia does speak, I didn’t want to take the words right out, away from his mouth [the MeatLoaf track does not apply], I wanted to type the words right out of his mouth.  Therefore, with the possible deletion of the odd “Ah” and Um,” and maybe the odd “Er” and Ooo,” with also serious grammatical violations that make us sound “two stewpid,” smoothed over for their reading effect, what you will read is what I indeed received [although I haven't included all the material]! [4] If it is in italics [with or without brackets], it is something that I have added after the fact, either as commentary, satire, explanation… or dare I say, hyperbole! [5] In totality, this interview, will take 3 posts [maybe 4], with this first post, the first part, on the context of Family, covering his life and development as a younger boy-to-man.

Faith.  I am sure we have all heard this word freighted around in pop-ular and not so popular culture.  After all, you gotta have fai-the-fai-the faith {so George Michael sang}!  As this concept has morphed and moved about in open vernacular, it has come to represent something of a faceless push toward the pursuit of believing the unattainable, accepting the unreliable, or jumping into the dark, hoping someone, isn’t just playing “catch,” but can really call for the “Mark!” {Explain: For all those Rugby-less Freaks, you call out “Mark” when you are catching the ball after the opposition has kicked the said-ball, and as long as you are inside your 22, you get rewarded… What’s a 22?.  What’s the reward?… Arghhhh… You think I can go on, wait until you read the Book on the Laws of Union!]

Getting back to some sort of reality, the nexus… no, not the “Lexus“… I am of Charade, and not by choice.  Anyway, the centre of this concept has focused more on the “action” involved in the “faith” act. However, given this reality, it has also reflected negatively on the goal that this “faith” is pointing toward.  I mean, if the pursuit has the lights off, how can it even find its destination…  Your thoughts entirely, as you read this section.  We are nearly there!…  While this may illuminate this blogger’s point, it does presume that the target is passive, and He, with a capital “H” is not!  All of this is to say, and if there is much confusion redounding back at you on your monitor, Lizard {again}, Take Two with Neemia Tialata, titled “Faith,” may be better described as “Belief.”

As it relates to the Christian “Faith”, it is true that there are those who are “believers,” those who accept the truth claims of this system, and those who are “unbelievers” who reject this system, and the God-Man in the middle.  However, everyone, at some point in time, seeks to answer the BIG questions that the Christian faith belief system does indeed seek-to-answer, as part of its repertoire… THE, “How did I get here?”… “What is my purpose in living?”… “Where I am going when my breathing ceases?”.   Therefore, “unbeliever” who may be reading this, it is not that you don’t believe in the Christian message per se, it is just that you have placed or replaced this with another belief system!  Even the failure to reject or address these questions is an alternative belief system, as it deems this pursuit unworthy, unwise, or unreal, thereby believing and holding to certain things about ultimate reality!

So what, you may be thinking, but here must be the redemptive rub for you to dwell on, and reflect… Can yours and my “faith”- even-less… our belief systems, our views of reality, whatever you want to call these… can they deliver?… on demand!  Is it sufficiently packing heat to deal with ultimate dilemmas… in the truest sense?!

It is with all this in mind that we confront the context of this subject with All Black, Mr Neemia Tialata, with The Second Cut, as the Man inside of the jersey talks about what really makes him tick… and tweet!

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NEEMIA TIALATA: On the Record, Off the Hook!

TAKE TWO: THE SECOND CUT – Faith

JK: What or Whom is the Most Important Thing in Your Life?  Why is this So?

NT: It would have to be God… um… I come from a religious background, always been in the church since I have come into this world, and that’s where I’m gonna finish and leave this world.  He’s always been the main focus and the drive to my success… the reason why I live in this world… and I wouldn’t be the person who I am today if it wasn’t for Him.

JK: You have stated that you are a follower of Christ, a Christian, can you describe the time and the circumstances surrounding when this became a reality in your life?

NT: I think many occasions actually.  The time when I lost my Mother… that’s the sad times… even, most of the time is when I am happy.  People sometimes tend to forget when they receive things, and when life is going sweet… you know, they tend to forget God.  I always, at times, when I am blessed, when I’m feeling blessed and on a high, and… my Mum’s always told me, reminded me, don’t ever forget to take a knee and thank the Lord. JK: When you point up and look up when you run out is that to your parents and to God, or just to God, or a combination.  NT: It’s to everyone, mainly to Him… To the Man who has made me who I am.

The Last Supper: By Leonardo Da Vinci - 1495-1498

JK: This is quite a long question: I was a Pastor’s son growing up… ah… There was a time when the reality of the truth claims of Jesus Christ – Who He claimed to be, Who He said He was, so forth – was something that I had to accept or reject.  Given the cultural reality where a large number of Samoan children attend church… {heading off on a tangent}… There is a saying, I think Keith Green said it, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, like going to McDonalds doesn’t make you a Hamburger”… Don’t know if you’ve heard that one, but culturally was there anything that caused the reality of Who Jesus was {and is}, what He’d done on your behalf… even thinking about it from a Samoan perspective where lots of guys go to church, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that what that means, is in a sense, changing their life from the inside out.

NT: Ah, for me, I reckon for Him taking my parents away… um, I could have easily taken the easy option, and turn my back… and alot of people will probably look at me and say the only reason why I’m a follower is cause I’m successful.  But people don’t realise where I’ve come from, and where I’ve been in life… JK: {Jumping in} You’ve been in the pits.  NT: Yeah, yeah… {carrying on the last sentence} to where I am now.  Ever since then, I’ve never turned my back on Him, and He’s never turned His back on me.  JK: Amen!  NT: You know what I mean.  JK: Absolutely!

His Strength is From the Lord

JK: You have put “God” as the first Person that you fear on your website.  Describe what you mean by this?

NT: Oh, just basically everything I do.  JK: Okay… so you live your life in light of Who He is?  NT: Yeah, well, I’m not perfect.  JK: Yeah, absolutely, yeah sure.  NT: Alot of people wouldn’t agree… question me about that, but… JK: {Jumping in} That’s the difference though, aye, with Christianity and Religion.  Religion says, “You do this, and you do that to be saved.”  Christianity says, “It’s because you can’t do these things that Jesus had to die on your behalf… NT: {Getting it in quick as King is prognosticating} That’s it!  JK: And, and, in your place, and its only because of what He does, and so… I hear ya.

JK: How important is your faith in making you the rugby player you are, and are becoming?

NT: {spoken with intensity} Ooo Massive, Massive.  Like I said to you, if it wasn’t for God taking care of me, at a young age, I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t be the person who I am today.  JK: Yeah, sweet. NT: Like I said, I hung around mates that, ah, pretty bad, and, ah, I could easily see myself, you know, being in that situation and following them, and just, not having a purpose in life.  He’s given me that reason, He’s given me that focus… Right from, you know, day one.  Now on, that is going to be my drive, for the rest of my life.  JK: Amen!

You Have Something in Your Eye. Let Me Help!

JK: Here’s a question that sorta relates to it… How does your faith make a difference to how you play the game of rugby on the field, and even, how should it, if at all?  Are you conscious of that at all?

NT: Yeah, yeah, yeah, especially with my position, it’s quite physical.  JK: {sounding a little exuberant} Yeah-ha-ha-Yip!  NT: Alot of people will question it at times, that I am not physical enough at times, ah, that ah, people… I don’t retaliate.  I’m not the type of person that would hit someone back if they did something to me.  I’m the one who will always, just turn away and run off.  JK: Yeah, yeah, yeah.  NT: That’s the way I am.  JK: {With tongue in cheek} So you’re a big softy?  I won’t put that down though… {I Lied}.  NT: {Not seeming to be concerned at all} Yeah… JK: We won’t let the opposition read that, um… {Strike Two} NT: {Jumping in} But all of that, is because of my faith in God.  JK: So you’re following Jesus in turning the other cheek… NT: {jumping in} Yeah, it’s strictly all about the game, and that’s it, it’s nothing personal or anything

JK: You are culturally successful, financially pretty well-off, and are graced with many opportunities that most people will not experience.  Many people live their lives looking to gain these things as the answer to their pursuit of happiness.  You are at this destination!  From your reality, do these things answer the big questions in life?  Or, is it true to say that such a perspective highlights and makes clear that such is not found in gaining these, and so, must be in something else.  Talk about where you are at, what success in this world’s eyes means, and what it tells you about, and if it answers the big questions in life.

JK: {Continues with an elaboration on the question} Now I know that is a big question, but if you just… NT: Ahhhh… JK: Did you get the gist of that…{sensing the need to simplify as there is silence}… So you’re successful, people look, people think, I need to have money, I need to have this, I need to have that, and then my life will be fulfilling, then my life will make sense, then my life will have purpose. You’re at that position.  NT: I am.  JK: And it obviously is nice to have those things, but what ultimately helps you sleep at night?  NT: Without money, um, without the black jersey, I’ll still be the person who I am, I’ll still have (this life) that I had!  Without God, or without any of the directions that He’s given, or put into my life, I wouldn’t change, I wouldn’t be the person who I am.  JK: Yeah.  NT: And just because I’m successful, like I said before, it wouldn’t change the way my faith is.

JK: How does your faith offer you resources to deal with failure.  Does your faith help you to deal with failure… as in, when you lose, which could happen week after week?

NT: {Jumping in with intensity} Everyday.  Everyday I face, I face failure.   Like I said, I’m massive with my prayer, and I believe in it, and… He’s the only reason why I’m playing this game.  I’ve had a lot of people have a go at me in the media, and in public as well.  I reckon if I didn’t have God on my side, or if I didn’t believe in Him, I would have done something silly!

The "B" Man - Mr Brad Thorn. He Could Do With Some Prayer!

Tamati Ellison - Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Keep Looking Up Brother!

JK: How do you maintain your relationship with your Creator, day in and day out… what about on Tour… How do you keep it tight?

NT: Ah, it actually helps when you have got people around you that can offer that support as well.  Guys like Tamati, who’s a re-born Christian {Born Again – See John 3:… Christian/ Biblical code language for someone who is a new creation in Christ… has become a Christian}, and I’m very proud of him.  We always fellowship, we always share with each other.  JK: {brain ticking over} You mean Tamati Ellison? NT: Yip.  JK: {As if not hearing} Is he born-again?  NT: {Tone raised} Ye-ah!  JK: {Talks about some blogging opportunities with a certain said character}.  NT: He’s great aye.  He’s been a good support as well, someone that could share and feed off as well, especially when we’re away.  Obviously, Colin Cooper, he believes in the Lord, and ah, we share as a Coach-Player about the Word as well… and that’s massive.  JK: {talking about some other individuals, we get to Big, Bad, Busting, Bustling, Bruising, Battering Behemoth, Brad Thorn}.  NT: Brad Thorn is huge… {I know, I just said as much, but to confirm} JK: I know Brad Thorn is huge… I know he’s pretty tight there. Are you tight with him?  NT: Yeah, yeah, it’s quite funny.  He plays for Canterbury and the Crusaders {and what is wrong with that… I quite like that fact}, but me and him are pretty good mates.  He’s actually my buddy who helps push me from behind at scrum time, so we know each other inside out, so we share that as well, especially when we’re away on tour.  JK: Yeah, yeah, and that would help foster those relationships too, when you’re in a foreign context, and…  NT: {jumping in} It does, it does.  It definitely helps with time as well, and sharing what you are going through, especially when you are away, that far away from family members that you really need each other.  JK: Have you read… You know about Tony Dungy?  NT: Yip.  JK: Have you read his book at all?  NT: I haven’t, I’ve just read bits of it.  JK: It’s a good story aye.  NT: I heard that, he’s a massive… JK: {cutting in} Yeah.  He talks about, um, cause his son committed suicide, and he talks about in his book that coaching was a vehicle to serve Christ.  In other words, serving Christ came (first), and that was where Christ wanted him to serve… as a coach.  Now I think he is with CBS, as an analyst, and he puts that {serving Christ} as first priority.

JK: Someone said to me recently that they believed Rugby was the Religion in New Zealand.  Do you think this is the case?

NT: Yeah, I’m not gonna lie about that, it’s massive in New Zealand.  JK: And when you say that, there’s nothing wrong with being a passionate supporter, watcher, etc.  But when good things become ultimate things in peoples lives, that’s when they become problematic, aye.  NT: Yeah, yeah.

The Dulcet Tones of Big Bad Brad. Wearing Dan Carter's Shorts!

JK: You’ve sortof answered this, but do the believers in various teams get together for prayer and Bible study?

NT: {jumping in} Yeah we do, we do actually.  JK: {still finishing off the question} Describe how this takes place in the AB’s, who gets together for these times, and what happens. NT: Well, Brad Thorn or Keven Mealamu drives it.  Um, and then you’ve got the likes of… mostly all the Polynesian boys, and sometimes Siti… Sivivatu… and we all take turns, and ah… in leading our prayers and our readings.  So all the boys just meet up at a time, in a room… yeah, it always starts off with a prayer, and a reading from the Bible, then they open it up for everyone to share, and obviously if you want answers or help… support from the other boys, they get to say their bit, and we finish off with a couple of songs, a prayer, and that’s it {can you imagine Brad Thorn singing?… Sorry Mr Thorn, I didn’t mean it}.  JK: Sweet.  NT: That’s us for the week.  JK: Nice, now let me see… NT: {more information kicking in} And then sometimes we’ll probably call a time just before we jump on the bus, before we head off for a Test Match… meet up in a room, just do a quick prayer or on the Bus, that’s before games.  JK: Most of the Sevens guys, there seems to be a lot of Believers in the Sevens team.  NT: Yip, yip.  JK: Is Titch {George Tietjens}, is he a Believer? NT: I’m not too sure.  I haven’t been in that system.  JK: {getting raucous}  You haven’t been in the Sevens, Neemia?  I would have thought that… It’s probably not the context for your body type… {O the frivolty of the moment!}

JK: Do you share your faith in the rugby community?  What’s your idea of how you want to share your faith?  Do you keep it more on the down-low and try and let your actions speak, or…?

NT: Yeah, I do, I do.  Alot of people take it the wrong way, but then again, I’m not gonna hide from it.  I try my best to get around, ah, youth.  One of my close friends, Fa’atonu Fili… JK: {Jumping in} First-five {for Lions and Manu Samoa}… Is he still in New Zealand?  NT: Yip, yip, he’s got a massive fellowship group out in Wellington, and he’s invited me a couple of times to come and speak to the youth there.  JK: Sweet.  NT: I’ve been over there and shared with them… a wonderful experience.

JK: You want to give a shout out to your church or where you fellowship at all?

NT: Yeah, yeah, just a big shout out to the Wainuiomata Efaka-asa Church {Spelling}, obviously my minister, Rev. {He goes on to say his name}.  JK: {Jumping in} Sweet, I gotta spell that!  NT: What’s that sorry?  JK: I gotta spell that now!  NT: {Laughs, and begins to spell name} M-a-l-a-a-i  M-u-a-i-a-v-a – Mala’ai Muai’ava!

From @neyza3 - Neemia - Tweeting It Real

JK: With three descriptive words or phrases, summarise what Jesus mean to you?

NT: The Answer. The Only Way.  The Truth. {Put that on a T-Shirt Neemia}

JK: Favourite Book of the Bible?

NT:  Can’t go wrong with Psalms.  JK: Yeah, yeah, practical theology.  Whatever context you’re in life… NT: {Jumping in} That’s right!  JK: It will get covered.  NT: {Jumping in… again} Can’t go wrong! JK: {Finishing sentence} by the Psalmist!

JK: Favourite Character in the Bible?

NT: Probably Abraham

JK: Favourite Christian Music?

NT: Hillsong.  Katinas

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REMEMBER…

There is STILL a competition to win a signed-by-the-squad 2010 Hurricanes Jersey, or to put it the following way.

Win a new 2010 Hurricanes jersey, signed by the squad

Here’s how to enter…

1] If you haven’t already, you need to follow neyza3 on Twitter… and… iamjonnyking on Twitter!

2] THEN, if you have already completed the previous part with The Introduction post or Take One, or if this is the first post where you will follow on Twitter, you will all need to re-tweet this post and all previous posts onto your Twitter page, which you can complete through the icon at the bottom of this post and each post.  If you have not read the previous post/s, you can start there with this process, which will give you an extra opportunity to win!

3] MOST IMPORTANTLY, you need to leave a comment on this post, and each post that you want to be considered as a valid entry! It does not have to be significant or special.  Just a one letter-word is A-OK!  I believe some people followed on Twitter from the previous post, The Introduction, without leaving a comment, which is fine [if you don't want the Jersey].  However, to be able to keep a good grasp on who is entering, we need the comment.  There is no time restriction, until this competition is drawn, from going right through the process, starting with The Introduction to the final Take. Therefore, I would encourage you to give yourself the best opportunity to win!

AGAIN, Please re-tweet with reckless abandonment, throughout the week, as we want Neemia’s story to go Massive

Where do we go from here?

This is a very good question, as our plans for the next installment are definitely hyper-but more theoretical, as I type and you read!

However, stay tuned, because The Three-Peat, the Third Installment in this series is a-coming!  As I said in Take One, while a week is a long time in Football, it is even longer in life, and we will get back to you soon, which is also another reason why should follow iamjonnyking on Twitter.

I would encourage you to re-read the interview-discussion part again, as I have found that generally, the first time, one reads with speed, and not so much for effect!

Remember to re-tweet, and then re: that request, with impunity, and let’s see if we can even get those in Highest Nepal onto this narrative.

Next time, it is on the Ra-Ra-ra-ra-rugby, and I have plenty of questions for this context!

Until Next Time

i am jonny king