'Proud moment' - Wigan Warriors powerhouse Patrick Mago tells story behind '685' Samoa tattoo
Wigan Warriors powerhouse Patrick Mago is incredibly proud of his Samoan heritage, so much so that it is etched into his skin!
Born in New Zealand to Samoan parents before moving to Australia as a baby, Mago’s identity has been shaped by movement across the southern hemisphere – but anchored in culture.
“I was born in New Zealand, and I grew up in Australia,” Mago told Wigan TV.
“I was born in New Zealand in ’94 and then moved to Australia in ’95. I’d say I’m more Australian than I am New Zealand, but I’m a very proud Samoan. I come from a very proud Samoan background – both my parents are Samoan and my grandparents.”
He may have spent almost his entire life in Australia and is heading into his fifth season in England with Wigan, but his roots remain clear.
“I’ve lived in Australia all my life, and now I’m living here in England, which is obviously a bit of a way from where I’m from, but I’m loving my time though,” he said.
That Samoan pride is perhaps most visible in the bold ‘685’ tattoo on his neck – Samoa’s international dialling code.
The ink came after an emotional moment on the international stage for Samoa in 2022, when they made history as they reached the Rugby League World Cup final.
“That year, when the boys beat England in the semi-final to make the final, it was such a proud moment,” Mago continued.
“For me, I’ve got no tattoos, and I said I wasn’t ever going to ever get a tattoo, but when they beat England, I went and got it tattooed on my neck, so I think that just shows how proud I am to be a Samoan and of Samoan heritage.”
Samoa’s run to the World Cup final stirred something deep within Polynesian rugby league communities, and for Mago, it was the latest chapter in a heritage movement he has long admired.
“I think the movement started back in 2017 when all the Tongan players moved from Australia and New Zealand to Tonga,” he continued.
“Guys like Andrew Fifita, Jason Taumalolo, Siosiua Taukeaiho, Addin Fonua-Blake committing to Tonga… and I’ve always wanted the Samoan big boys to do the same.
“Obviously, now you’ve got like Payne (Haas) and Critta (Stephen Crichton) and all those boys going over, so it’s just good to see.
“Our nations are small, really, but it’s good to see that our nations can mix it with the big boys and on the big stages as well, so I’m a very proud Polynesian and very proud Samoan.”
While he has yet to earn a senior international cap, the ambition to pull on the blue jersey of Samoa burns brightly.
“Yeah, it always has been for me,” Mago smiled.
Family remains central to everything for Mago.
“My grandfather is still over in Samoa with my auntie and cousins, and I’ve got a lot of family that are still back home in Samoa,” he added.
“I’ve only been to Samoa twice in 2004 and 2018, so I don’t really get much time to go back, but I would love to try to go back to Samoa, maybe next year or the year after.”