NRL 2020: Titans recruit Young Tonumaipea opens up on Mormon mission
Nazi death threats, a mass shooting and strict communication rules: Young Tonumaipea opens up on his wild two-year Mormon mission in Germany.
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Young Tonumaipea thought he had it all in the NRL.
It was early 2018 and at 25 he stood to pocket more than $200,000 over the next two years at the super successful Melbourne Storm.
But something was eating away at the talented Samoan international.
A devout Christian and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Tonumaipea knew his calling was elsewhere.
In July that year he gave it all away and arrived in Berlin, Germany, as Elder Tonumaipe’a.
“My parents didn’t know until a couple of months before I left,” Tonumaipea told The Sunday Mail.
“I kept it to myself for a very long time.”
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What transpired over the next 21 months during Tonumaipea’s Mormon mission shaped the man that arrived at the Gold Coast Titans this week on a train-and-trial contract.
Now 27, Tonumaipea encountered Nazi death threats, a mass shooting and strict communication rules during his service but emerged a stronger person.
“It’s something I’m very proud of,” he said.
“The experiences I had and lessons I learnt I wouldn’t have got anywhere else.
“It puts in perspective how lucky we are in Australia. We are very blessed to live in a place like this.
“I met a lot of people from places like Africa and the war-torn Middle Eastern countries who have come to Germany for a better life.
“I’ve brought back a lot with me. I will not take anything for granted. We are so blessed and lucky to live in a place like Australia.”
Tonumaipea would rise at 6.30am every morning in the apartment he shared with his mission partner, who changed every two months.
Missionaries are allowed 30 minutes of exercise to start the day, something Tonumaipea embraced to stay as fit as possible during his break from the NRL.
An hour of bible study followed and an hour learning the German language from a textbook.
Tonumaipea and his partner would set off at 10am every day to preach and complete services in the local community and not return home until 9pm.
“It’s voluntary work for two years – we don’t get paid,” he said.
“They send us wherever they think it would be best for us to be at. I was based in East Germany, covering places like Berlin, Dresden and Halle.
“The main goal is to preach about our God. Apart from preaching there was a lot of service like gardening, moving houses, cleaning, we did it all.
“We didn’t receive any money. We saved up $10,000 before our mission and it was dispersed bit by bit to survive the two years.”
Tonumaipea arrived in Berlin not speaking a word of German. Within nine months he had a grasp of the language and returned to Australia last month fluent.
Door-knocking and approaching strangers in the street can result in mixed reactions and Tonumaipea had some confronting experiences.
“The Germans are more of a closed type of people,” he said.
“In Australia we say hello to someone and they say hello back and ask you how you’re doing.
“Over there, you say hello and they put their head down and keep walking forward. That’s the culture in Germany.
“But the Germans are like a walnut. At the start they have the wall up but once you crack that first shell they are very loyal and friendly people.
“It definitely helped once I could speak German. They would ask me where I’m from and say ‘wow, it’s my dream to go to Australia’.
“There were a few times where some Nazi people, who are still strong believers in that, told us they were going to kill us. There was an area near us where a guy went on a shooting spree.
“There was drunk people walking on the streets and trying to start fights with you.”
Tonumaipea was born in Samoa and grew up in Melbourne as one of five siblings.
He debuted for the Storm in 2014 and had played 43 NRL games before seeking a release from Melbourne midway through the 2018 NRL season to embark on his mission.
Tonumaipea was only allowed to communicate with his family through email on Mondays and mobile phones were strictly for missionary duty use only.
“It was tough leaving family behind and not being able to talk with my mum every day, but it was something I knew was going to happen and I was prepared,” he said.
“The reason it’s like that is so we are really concentrated on the work rather than letting other distractions get to you.
“It was very different to the lifestyle I was living before.
“In the NRL we get to play in front of thousands of people, fly everywhere for free, stay in flash hotels, sign autographs.
“I went over there and no-one knew me. People would tell me to piss off.
“I sacrificed a bit of money which would be nice right now, but being able to help other people and being selfless was more valuable for me. I wanted to see other people happy.
“I 100 per cent don’t regret going and leaving that contract behind. I am still happy with the decision I’ve made.”
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Tonumaipea returned to his family home in Melbourne last month in the hope of rekindling with the Storm but it wasn't to be.
Instead, he left Melbourne last Friday night and drove straight to the Gold Coast to sign a five-week trial contract with the Titans.
Tonumaipea impressed coach Justin Holbrook upon arriving at the Titans and has been making a two-hour return trip to training every day from the Ashgrove home he shares with Brisbane Broncos player Richie Kennar.
Tonumaipea knows how different life can be and is determined to make the most of his second coming in the NRL.
“I’m not shy about it – I’m gunning for a spot at the Titans,” he said.
“This is not a warm-up for 2021. I want to break in as soon as I can.
“I will put myself in a position to do that and I’ll wait for the coach’s call. I will be giving 100 per cent.
“The opportunity is not something you get very often. I couldn’t turn down the chance to play NRL again.
“I’m so lucky to be among the NRL. What a dream, what a dream.”
Originally published as NRL 2020: Titans recruit Young Tonumaipea opens up on Mormon mission
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