Focus on the feet of Sharks winger Sione Katoa in Saturday night's NRL Multicultural Round clash with Wests Tigers and you'll notice an intricate boot design celebrating all Polynesian cultures.
Katoa has joined forces with Melbourne-based brand Concave and fellow Tongan Siliva Havili, who plays for the Rabbitohs, to create the "Tatau" boot series.
With the name meaning "tattoo" in Polynesian languages, Concave's Tatau product depicts several significant cultural symbols including spearheads, shark teeth and the ocean. The art represents warrior nature, spirits and life.
Katoa and Havili met with Concave to provide input and choose the patterns.
"It means something more for me and all the Polynesians out there," Katoa said of the opportunity to wear the boots in Multicultural Round at Leichhardt Oval.
"It felt really special for me helping design the Polynesian boot, the Tatau.
"Not many other sponsors make these type of boots, so it's a rare one for me and Concave. With the designs on it there are different types of patterns that represent each Polynesian culture – Samoan, Tongan, Fijian designs on it too."
Katoa proudly carries his Tongan heritage everywhere via the ink on his body, with the Concave Tatau artwork reflecting the importance of tattoos to Polynesians.
"You can see by most Polynesian athletes; they have their tattoos and different designs. It just represents the culture," he explained. "My tattoos are mostly Tongan designs. It represents my culture and where my parents are from."
The Sharks enjoy rich diversity, with several squad members of Polynesian descent, while 48 percent of players across the NRL have Pasifika heritage.
The Tatau boots can be bought online by clicking here. "They're available for sale if anyone wants to purchase them, Polynesian or not," Katoa added.
Concave has also produced a First Nations model.
Initiated in 2022, NRL Multicultural Round revolves around the central theme of "Stronger Together" in embracing the many backgrounds that make our game great.
