If you ask Filipe Vakasiuola what makes him a great rugby player, the 13-year-old says it's simply down to his mother's taro and corned beef.

At a towering 185cm, and tipping the scales at 110kg, the Year-8 Katikati College student is playing his second and last year at the AIMS Games' seven-a-side tournament.

Filipe Vakasiuola in action at this year's AIMS Games. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

In the 15-a-side game he normally plays No.8 or prop, but at Waipuna Park yesterday, he was playing at centre and causing havoc.

'I like playing centre – it's more fun,” says Filipe. 'I have a bit more space to run as fast as I can.”

When SunLive watched Filipe's side beat Levin Intermediate 34-5, the youngster showed his ability to run over his opponents as well as a massive right-hand fend.

His skill of off-loading and putting his outside winger into space was Sonny Bill Williams-esque, and lead to one of his team's five tries to one victory.

He puts his size and power down to enjoying his mother's cooking.

His speed and size are not a one-off, with his cousin Tomasi Vakasiuola, who is a year younger than Filipe, almost the same height and just as impressive on the rugby field.

But it's not just rugby Filipe likes playing.

'I like playing softball, basketball and even netball,” he says.

However, it's rugby where he says he wants to make his name and become an All Black like his rugby idol, Julian Savea.

'He's big, strong and fast,” he says. 'I want to be like him.”

Filipe's coach Aidan Kuka says the youngster has the ability to go all the way if he puts his mind to it.

'He's got all the potential,” says Aidan. 'He's obviously one of the biggest here. But he's also got skills, he's got pace and he can kick goals.

'I think when he stops growing and he fills into his body and trains, he could go alright.”

Aidan says although the team narrowly lost a couple of games at this year's tournament, meaning the side were in the plate division, he was pleased with how his team performed.

'We love coming to the AIMS Games,” he admits. 'We look forward to it every year. We try our best and this year we are having a better year than previous years.

'It's all about seeing the kids express themselves outside of the classroom. I enjoy it, it's a good four days. This is my fifth year and this is the best that we've done.”