Oh no you DIDN'T: Burglar breaks into home of boxing and rugby champ
<p dir="ltr">Former Samoan international rugby and boxing star Lio Falaniko<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/burglar-picks-wrong-home-after-entering-former-samoan-heavyweight-boxing-rugby-stars-property/APAPH4CO2UDDYGZ7UHQ5ROZRWU/" target="_blank">has shared</a><span> </span>his surprise encounter with a burglar - after the unidentified man attempted to break into his home.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Falaniko was sitting in his underwear at his Perth home on December 28 and deciding which movie to watch on Netflix when the bizarre event unfolded.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Speaking to<span> </span><em>Perth Now</em>, the 51-year-old recalled how the burglar brazenly walked through his front door and headed towards the kitchen that afternoon - and what he did next.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I’d just got home from the shops and the dude just walked straight into my house,” he recalled.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“There were so many things that went through my head … with my ability and skills as a former boxer, I could have punched him to the moon and back.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height:500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846778/240398722_1526032987742718_4294637066855466906_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/061ded385baf49108788c288486ba24b" /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Rugby and heavyweight boxing star Lio Falaniko had a shock encounter with a burglar who strolled into his home one afternoon. Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook)</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">After the burglar realised the huge mistake he had made, he attempted to double back and sprint out the door.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Unfortunately for him, Falaniko had already gotten to his feet, grabbing the robber by the neck and bringing him back into the house.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Though the former rugby star was ready to have a go at the man, he decided against it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“But the guy was so small, I felt sorry for him and he’s lucky I was still in the Christmas spirit,” Falaniko said. “So I told him to f*** off before I called the ambulance for him and wished him a Happy New Year.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“He looked like he’d seen a ghost and ran.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">With both Falaniko and the burglar walking away unscathed, the sports star had an important lesson to share.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“You should be careful whose house you walk into,” he said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Perth locals soon weighed in on the situation, with many praising Falaniko’s decision not to harm the burglar.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“What an absolute champion of a human being,” one person said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I would not have been as forgiving. However, well done to this fine example of a man,” another shared.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Others poked fun at the burglar, with one person saying: “He probably ran home to change his pants”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Born in the Samoan capital of Apia, Falaniko went on to represent Samoa 21 times in international rugby between 1990 and 1999.</p>
<p dir="ltr">From 1996 until 1999, he also played Super Rugby for the Otago Highlanders and Wellington Hurricanes.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As for his boxing career, Falaniko fought in 10 professional heavyweight bouts between 2005 and 2011 in New Zealand and was undefeated.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He now works as a personal trainer in Perth.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook)</em></p>
