Sports Hometown Hero Returns To Carson To Play In Rugby World Championship Marcus Tupuola returns to his hometown of Carson this weekend to play in a major rugby tournament. Marcus Tupuola (right) returns to his hometown of Carson this weekend to play in the HSBC SVNS World Championship at Dignity Health Sports Park.​ (Courtesy of Marcus Tupuola) CARSON, CA — Each time Marcus Tupuola steps onto the rugby pitch, it's a culmination of all the hard work and sacrifices he made as a young kid growing up in Carson. "Growing up in LA and Carson, you have to wisen up a bit," Tupuola, 29, told Patch. "I could've been on a different path if I gave in or faltered." But Tupuola says he's always been "headstrong." From the day he played his first match at the age of 12 and experienced the camaraderie, Tupuola knew rugby would play a huge role in his dream of experiencing all that life had to offer. Now, in his seventh season playing rugby for the Team USA Eagles, he returns this weekend to Carson to compete in the HSBC SVNS World Championship at Dignity Health Sports Park. Tupuola was born in Samoa and was a few months old when his mother brought him to Carson, where he was raised in a traditional Polynesian household surrounded by a close-knit family. He decided to give rugby a try after watching his friends and cousins play for the club South Bay Spartans. From the moment he first touched a rugby ball, he "never looked back." After graduating from Carson High School, Tupuola had the opportunity to experience life outside of his hometown for the first time, attending Notre Dame College in Ohio on a scholarship. There, he helped grow the program into what it is today. Coaches quickly took notice of his skill, and he was selected as an All-American. "In the moment, you don't really know what's going on," Tupuola said. "When looking and seeing the roads we took, it starts to make sense." At 22, Tupuola was given a trial run for Team USA's national team. It was a months-long camp that included a tournament in England, where he played well enough to get signed by the team. By the following year, he made his first official appearance as a Team USA Eagle. What sets Tupuola apart from other players is a sense of freedom on the field. While he can feel the adrenaline that comes with running out onto the field each game and competing in front of fans, he said he likes to keep a clear head and remain calm. When he's out on the field, Tupuola said he feels free, using his footwork to beat defenders. Most of all, he doesn't like second-guessing. "I don't like to be caged in," Tupuola said. "Some people like structure, some people like plans. I like the freedom of expression." Last year, Tupuola was selected as part of the Team USA rugby squad competing in the Paris Olympics. Although the team came up short of their goal of medaling, Tupuola looks back at the experience as an opportunity to take his game to the next level. "That experience was one of one," he said. "I learned a lot. You have to seize these moments because they come around every four years. You might only get one shot." The focus right now is winning the HSBC SVNS World Championship at home. He's won the tournament before when it took place in Las Vegas. Being at home, however, gives him an extra edge. Because the tournaments he plays in are usually never close to home, his family usually doesn't get to see him play. But the stadium in Carson is just a jog away from where he grew up, so he feels like he's going home for a family BBQ.