Tomasi Alosio enjoying his rugby in Wellington Lions squad

Above: Tomasi Alosio evading the tackle of Petone's Jared Kahu and scoring a try for Hutt Old Boys Marist when the two sides met in this year's Jubilee Cup in June.

Tomasi Alosio has made a promising start to his ITM career, and tomorrow night he starts at centre against the Tasman Makos.

Against North Harbour, he ran on to a chip kick by his Hutt Old Boys Marist teammate and Lions first five-eighth Jonny Bentley to score the match-sealing try. Against Southland last Saturday, he repeated the dose, reining in a grubber in to the in-goal and collecting his second ITM Cup try.

Alosio’s involvement thus far has been great reward for the hard running and popular HOBM Jubilee Cup and Swindale Shield winner, who was selected in the Lions squad for the first time this winter.

Alosio is a family man. At the age of 23, he has already found himself a partner and has had two kids, all while working hard to launch his rugby career.

Alosio isn’t able to spend as much time as he would like with his family and that’s largely thanks to rugby and his job as a teacher aide.

In what has been a stellar year for Alosio, 2015 has seen his selection in the Wellington 7s, Wellington Lions and Manu Samoa 7s squads. With Manu Samoa, Alosio joined the 7s World Series in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Glasgow and London meaning a lot of time was spent away from home.

“It put stress on my partner, trying to organise the kids, getting them to school and doing the lunches and stuff. I help out as much as I can.

“It was real tough for her but she pulled through and having her support me through rugby is awesome.”

Even coming up through the age-grade rugby, Alosio was a standout. Part of St. Patrick’s College, SIlverstream’s Premier One winning 2010 1st XV, Alosio recalls his college days and all its highs and lows.

“I didn’t initially make the 1st XV in 2008 but there were a few injuries so I got called in. That year we lost the semi-final to Mana then in ’09 we made the final against Wellington College but they smoked us.

“I went back to repeat another year for academic reasons and for rugby. We ended up beating St. Pat’s Town in the final. Playing alongside Ope (Peleseuma) in the final, who I grew up with and who is one of my inspirations was awesome.”

During his schooling years, Alosio was selected for New Zealand Under-17s, Hurricanes Schools and made the New Zealand Secondary Schools camp, though he didn’t make the final squads.

This representative success paved the way for Alosio’s rise. After leaving Silverstream, Alosio made his way to Petone, earning his Premier blazer, but found himself at Hutt Old Boys Marist after two seasons for the Villagers.

“All my friends were with Hutt Old Boys. My school mates, Ope and all that were at Hutt Old Boys. I was just looking to enjoy it and have fun with rugby and we weren’t doing too well at Petone in the Jubilee Cup.”

The move paid off for Alosio, winning the Jubilee Cup final with Hutt in 2014, a match in which he started at fullback. This success earned the attention of the Wellington Lions coaches in 2014 and Alosio was invited to a few trainings.

In 2015 HOBM won the Swindale Shield but didn’t have the same success in the Jubilee Cup, missing out on the playoffs. However, this didn’t seem to hinder Alosio’s chances with the Lions, even though he thought it might have.

“I was pretty surprised to get selected and it was cool to be involved right from the start with preseason. The camp helped me to get to know the boys heaps.”

Alosio looked as though he fit into the Lions team seamlessly, scoring a try on debut after gathering a grubber from his stand-off at Hutt, Jonny Bentley, though Alosio gives a lot of credit to Bentley for being the calm head and helping him ease into the team.

“I was real excited having him come to HOBM this year. Just the experience and his skill set he brings helps heaps. He never stops talking and just tells me what to do and where to be and he can tackle for a guy his size.”

Alosio, who made his Wellington club rugby starting debut in 2011 for Petone on the right wing in a 24-20 win over historical rivals Poneke, has started 56 Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup matches for Petone and his current club Hutt Old Boys Marist. Whilst he's scored 13 tries, his value has been just as keenly felt by opposition defences as a distributor and link-man to those around him.

Wellington Lions v Tasman Makos at Westpac Stadium, Friday night, kick-off 7.35 pm