'Rodzilla' reclaims Tongan roots
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:35
Former Wallaby and Queensland Reds loosehead prop, Rodney 'Rodzilla' Blake, reclaimed his Tongan citizenship in Nuku'alofa this week.
In a short ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele signed the 25-year-old's certificate of re-admission to Tongan nationality and then witnessed Rodney taking the oath of allegiance.
Dr Sevele congratulated Rodney for his achievements.
"All Tongans are very proud of you for what you have achieved on the rugby field with the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies," Sevele told rugbyweek.com.
"We wish you well in France and we look forward to your more frequent visits to your home country in the future," he added.
Rodney was born in Tofoa and migrated with his parents to Australia in the early 1990s, later becoming a naturalised Australian.
He had applied to Tonga's immigration minister for a certificate of re-admission to Tongan nationality, under the Nationality (Amendment) Act 2007 which became law last August.
Rodney was very pleased with the process and said it was a happy day.
"My parents and family are also very happy because it has been one of their wishes that I resume my Tongan citizenship. I suppose the next step is for me to prove to the national selectors that I am good enough to play for the 'Ikale Tahi national rugby team in the near future," said Blake.
Rodney ('Rodzilla') Christopher Lamangino Blake secured a Super 14 contract with the Queensland Reds in 2006 - an injury costing him his 2007 season but he resumed playing again in 2008.
In total, the loosehead prop has played 38 games for the Reds over three Super 14 seasons, as well as seven Tests for the Wallabies.
'Rodzilla' has recently signed a new contract with the French club Bayonne where he is due to arrive on July 5.
