Faith, Family and Rugby

In Japan’s thriving rugby scene, one family’s quiet faith and courage have become a beacon of hope.  Finau and Ena Tupa—long‑term residents of Japan with roots in Tonga—are “normal” people facing life’s uncertainties together: raising children, showing up for teammates and trusting God, even in the face of incredibly difficult circumstances.

                                                The Journey from Tonga to Japan

Finau Tupa plays back row (flanker) for Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay, a Division 1 club competing in Japan Rugby League One, the nation’s top professional tier. The Spears are based in the Tokyo Bay–Funabashi area and have become one of Japan’s leading clubs.

Born and raised in Tonga, Finau captained his senior year rugby team at Liahona High School and led the Tonga U19 side that won the Pacific Nations Cup. Twice he received scholarship offers to study and play professional rugby in Japan—the surest pathway for Tongan players—but he turned down both offers to serve a full‑time, two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

“The decision I made to serve a mission has been one of the greatest blessings in my life,” Finau told his congregation at a recent Church meeting.  “My stake president promised me that if I served my mission faithfully, the Lord would bless me with the opportunity to play rugby in Japan.”

After completing missionary service in Tonga in 2011, Finau worked as a carpenter for a year and then moved to Japan in August 2012 to pursue his ambition.  Like most rugby players, he stands out walking the streets of Japan – his league profile lists him at 190 cm and 115 kg.   Having missed the university scholarship pathway for foreign players, Finau entered Japanese professional rugby humbly as a “training member.”  His determination and talent earned him the opportunity to play for 4.5 years with the Mie Honda Heat and then for 2 years with the Yokohama Canon Eagles.  Finau joined the Kubota Spears in 2019 and, in recent seasons, has added dozens of Division 1 caps.  

Finau says that from the beginning of his rugby career, the inspired Church health code known as the Word of Wisdom—no smoking or drinking, healthy diet, and caring for the body—has helped him maintain the fitness and clarity professional sport demands. His teammates notice and respect his standards. At age 36, Finau recently signed a two-year extension, grateful for the chance to continue playing with the team he has grown to love.      

Strong Family Bonds

While rugby opened doors, family has always been central to Finau and Ena’s story. Ena, also from Tonga, graduated from Brigham Young University–Hawaii with a degree in elementary education and then served a mission in Long Beach, California, finishing in 2012. Ena and Finau met that July—just one month before Finau moved to Japan to follow his dream of playing professional rugby. Smitten, Ena followed Finau to Japan, supporting herself by taking a job teaching English. They were married in Suzuka, Mie, Japan in 2014 and were sealed in the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple in 2015. They have been blessed with 3 children, currently ages 10, 6 and 4.

Kubota Spears provides mental health coaching for players and families.  For Finau and Ena, this support has helped them navigate life’s challenges, including Covid and extended periods of family separation.  A counselor reminded them that, just like batteries with a plus and a minus, all of us will have positives and negatives in our lives.  Life needs balance.  Whether on the field or in daily life, we need to learn from our mistakes and use trials as opportunities for growth.  Then came a challenge far greater than any rugby match.

A Hard Diagnosis

In May 2024, while in Tonga, Ena experienced cramps and stomach pain.  Local tests suggested a liver issue, but doctors couldn’t confirm the cause.  Prompted by a strong impression, Finau immediately returned to Japan with his family.  A full analysis revealed that Ena had stage 4 colon cancer with liver metastasis.   She is receiving biweekly chemotherapy treatments and expects those treatments to continue for the rest of her life.  

A Spontaneity of Joy

Despite the cancer, and despite the debilitating treatments, long-time friends and people meeting Ena and Finau for the first time all enjoy their big smiles and cheerful attitudes. Ena says that when the doctor first informed them of her cancer diagnosis, she felt a surprising calm. She shares matter-of-factly, “It’s OK not to be OK.”

The Tupas point to a message by Elder D. Todd Christofferson in the Church’s October 2019 General Conference: The Joy of the Saints. Elder Christofferson talked about Jack Rushton who, after being paralyzed by a spinal cord injury, testified of turning to the Lord and feeling a "spontaneity of joy."

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith

Finau’s path to Japan defied the usual scholarship route that brings many Tongan players into the league.  He and Ena dream of, one day, returning to Tonga and giving back to the communities whose support and example helped shape their lives.

These days, the Tupa family lives a rhythm familiar to many - early school runs, busy workdays, and the joyful chaos of raising children.  But unlike most families, their routine includes the rigors of weekend rugby matches and frequent hospital visits and treatments.

Their journey reminds us that true strength isn’t measured in scrums or scoreboards or perfect health, but in steady lives of faith and hope.  As Ena says, “We trust the Lord more than we trust ourselves.”