Life started out quite normally for twins John and Edwin Cocker, growing up and playing rugby together from the age of seven in their native Tonga. But as their careers began to take shape, the 28-year-olds have taken quite different paths.
While Edwin succeeded in becoming a regular fixture in Gordon Tietjens' all-conquering New Zealand Sevens side, brother John did not make the same impression when trialling for the Kiwis.
“I had two goes at the nationals and just didn’t make it so I opted to play for Tonga. That’s just the way it fell,” he explained.
Perhaps that was a blessing in disguise and John has since gone on to represent Tonga and will captain the islanders at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.
In a cruel twist of fate, though, Edwin will be watching from the sidelines after breaking his leg in the NZI Sevens in Wellington recently.
With New Zealand and Tonga drawn in the same pool, the injury will deny the Cocker brothers the chance to renew a sibling rivalry of a few years ago when both men had the privilege of leading their respective countries out against each other on the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington.
"It was an awesome experience," recalled John. "I kept focused and put it in my head to take him down, but I didn't get the chance!"
A humbling experience
Never having led the side before, the chance came when the New Zealand captain at the time Tafai Ioasa chose to step aside for the match, allowing Edwin the opportunity.
"It was a quite humbling experience. Especially after the game with all the text messages from our parents back home saying it was a happy moment for our family," he said.
When it comes to family support, Edwin is still not quite sure whose side his Mum and Dad are actually on.
"Our parents are still old school. They say they support me but I think they still support Tonga!" he admitted with a laugh.
The decision to turn his back on Tonga wasn’t an easy one for Edwin but he felt vindicated after pulling on the famous black jersey and becoming part of the New Zealand side that won 47 consecutive matches and seven straight tournaments across the 2006/07 and 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series.
"The Tonga coach was always hassling me to play for Tonga from school but I wanted to have a crack at playing for New Zealand. I knew if I didn’t make it I could always go back to play for Tonga, but I was pretty lucky to get selected at my first go."
Practical jokers
Before going their separate ways it wasn’t uncommon for the Cocker brothers to play a few pranks on unsuspecting coaches and team-mates.
"It was quite funny. Guys wouldn’t know who was who and we wouldn’t say anything until people would stop us and say, ‘Didn’t I just see you walk by?’ or ‘playing for another team?," revealed Edwin.
"We may look the same, but we are different people."
John hopes there will be no case of mistaken identity when Tonga get their chance to show their wares on the world stage.
"It’s a big opportunity for the boys to step up. We’re just fortunate to be playing in such a tournament as this."
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