Rey Lee-Lo is relishing a 'faatasiga faaleaiga' with his Samoa teammates when Cardiff Blues kick-off their European Challenge Cup campaign against Bristol.
The in-form centre has several close friends across the Severn Bridge with Bristol boasting David Lemi, Jack Lam, Anthony Perenise and Tusi Pisi within their squad.
Lee-Lo is looking forward to the reunion but he will be holding nothing back as the Blues look to bounce back from their derby defeat to the Ospreys.
He said: “I have a few mates over there. My cousin Jack is there, he’s Pat Lam’s nephew and there’s some other international boys from Samoa like our captain David Lemi. Hopefully he’s not playing – he’s a little guy but he can sure run.
“I watched their game last week against Newcastle and while they lost they were really good in the second-half and they will bring that same intensity. We have to man up and stop them.
“We have taken the learnings from the Ospreys game but otherwise it’s back to normal, it’s another week and we can’t look back, our focus is on Bristol.”
Lee-Lo has been one of the stand performers for the Blues this season with his dynamism and off-loading growing in prominence.
The Samoan centre impressed following his arrival last November but is adamant there is plenty more to come now he is fully settled in.
He continued: “It’s been good so far, I’m used to the rugby here now after arriving last year. Last year I didn’t know what to expect, I played a lot of rugby before I came in but I’ve rested the body up and this season I feel way better. My body is ready to go.
“The style we play is lovely, I really like it, just moving the ball to the boys out wide, using space but also a power game and the big boys up front when needed. It’s always good to have power and speed, especially with that 3G game which is so good for running rugby.
“The first five weeks were good until last week, the boys were enjoying their rugby and it was a good start but after the Ospreys we’ve just had to get back to hard work.
“I’m too sure went wrong, it was one of those days. The Ospreys are a good team, they have a power game and boys out wide with speed. We didn’t turn up in the last 60 minutes, we were there for the first 20 and then it all went downhill but that’s footie and we have to move on.
“Europe is a big focus, the next two weeks will be interesting but hopefully we can pick up two wins.”
Lee-Lo will soon be joined at Wales’ Capital Region by close friend and former Hurricanes teammate Willis Halaholo.
He tipped off the Cardiff Blues management on Halaholo’s talents and he proved that with a stunning Super Rugby-winning season.
Lee-Lo added: “He’s a good man, a good player. He usually plays 12 and pushes me out wide, which I don’t mind. He’s a strong boy.”