If All Black centre Pita Alatini wants added inspiration for Saturday's clash with the Wallabies, he need look no further than his father's role in Australian rugby's darkest moment.

His father Malakai Alatini was the five eighth who set up Tonga's remarkable 16-11 win over Australia in Brisbane in 1973, the day the Australians were known as the Woeful Wallabies.

"The first time he told us we didn't believe him," Alatini said. "Then we went searching for a video and found video of the game and watched it and yeah, it was amazing for him. Dad couldn't really explain how he felt and I can understand where he's coming from, it was one of those special moments.

"That's one of his favourite memories and one he always reminds me of."

Playing alongside Alatini senior that day at Ballymore was Wallaby forward Toutai Kefu's father Fatai and shortly after, the two left their native Tonga to create rugby dynasties on opposite sides of the Tasman.

Kefu returned to Brisbane from where Toutai became a vital member of the Wallaby pack while young brother Steve broke into the Queensland team this year. Alatini went south and took his four young boys to New Zealand, with 24-year-old Pita making his Test debut last year.

Malakai's loyalties were divided last month when Pita played against elder brother Sam in the All Blacks' 102-0 win over Tonga in Albany.

"Dad just didn't want either of us to get hurt. He sat on the fence I'd say," Alatini said.

Alatini plays his first Test against the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup opener at Stadium Australia on Saturday night, completing his natural progression from New Zealand under 16s, under 19s, Colts and New Zealand A.

The Otago Highlanders inside-centre was one of the standouts of last year's Super 12 and makes up for his small stature with superb balance and a deceptive step of either foot and has already struck an effective combination in the centres with Alama Ieremia.

Alatini and Kefu are not the only combatants on Saturday night with paternal connections.

New Zealand No.8 Ron Cribb's father Jim played with Wallaby five eighth Stephen Larkham's father Geoff in the ACT representative side in the early 1970s in a five year stint in Australia.

And All Blacks flanker Scott Robertson has a powerful family link with the Wallabies as the nephew of former Australian captain and breakaway Greg Davis, who moved from New Zealand to Sydney in 1963 and led his adopted country in 16 of his 39 Tests.

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