Scores of Samoans lined up outside the Faleolo International Airport on Tuesday night to welcome their heroes, the Toa Samoa players.

Some had even started to line up at the airport three hours before the arrival of the team. Such was the desire by many at home to catch a glimpse of the team that brought a sense of joy and happiness to the nation this year.

This year had been marred by the pandemic, the lockdowns and the economic uncertainties that followed, so when the Toa Samoa started creating waves at an international sporting event, there was happiness back home.

People had found a real reason to be happy about something and celebrate the glory of the players. The team had managed to reach a pinnacle which no other Samoan or Pacific team had done before.

Samoans united worldwide and the blue and red flags flew around the world. Prior to the achievement of the Toa Samoa, not many in Europe or the Americas knew where this tiny Pacific nation was located.

The team had inspired Samoans all over the world and even the most famous Samoan in the world, Dwayne Johnson gave his backing to the Toa Samoa.

Samoans all over the world had united and it was because of the antics of this team. So if people waited for more than three hours to see in person their favourite players, the team deserves such a welcome. After all they are our heroes.

Who is a hero? He or she is someone who rises up, from whatever their circumstances are, and comes to embody a representative of the highest level that a human being can attain. A hero is someone who knowingly and voluntarily makes a conscious decision to sacrifice something of one’s self for the greater good of others.

This is exactly what some of the players did to ensure that they represented the nation they were either born in or where their parents hailed from.

It started when a whole bunch of players playing top notch league in the NRL were named in the Kangaroos team. This is the national Australian team which is backed by millions of dollars, something which Rugby League Samoa can never match.

Yet these players chose the blue of Samoa instead of the green and gold of Australia. Toa Samoa captain Junior Paulo when he announced he would be playing for Samoa said he closed his eyes and pictured the jersey which would make his grandmother proud and it was the Samoan jersey.

It was the call of culture, the call of the blood that ran through their veins that led them to choose to play for Samoa. Many ruled them out after their first game but they bounced back and were a stronger team than before.

The spirit of the fight in them showed every time they performed the Siva Tau. The chants and war cries raised the hair on the hands of every Samoan that was watching. This was the effect this team had. And when they started losing players to injuries, the team was not rattled and they carried on reaching the final of the RLWC.

This is a team that has made the whole nation proud and this was the moment people in Samoa have been waiting for. They can finally celebrate the achievement with their heroes present in the country.

The visit by the team is also an economic booster. Overseas media have come in and so have the families of the Toa Samoa players. The nation will be buzzing with activities and local businesses will be smiling.

The achievements of the team is also a reminder to the administrators of the sport that much needs to be done to grow the sport on the local level. There is now a demand for Samoan rugby league players, a doorway has also opened for budding and talented players who are still in school to get attachments to clubs and also a chance at completing their education.

As of Tuesday night, the Toa frenzy has been reignited again. From the management and team at Samoa Observer, we congratulate you for achieving a rare feat and for making Samoans proud.

You are our heroes.