Playing in the 1st XV at Tamaki College and through the various Auckland age-group grades, Sililoto and Moala honed their skills on many a team as they went up the ranks to professional rugby.
A humble Tongan boy at heart, Sililoto recalls Moala did most of his talking on the footy pitch.
"Growing up, he was just a quiet guy and led by example. He didn't say much but when you got on the field you could feel his presence because he was just in your face.
"He was an awesome player; [a] hard hitter, good runner, [it] always took more than one guy to take him down - so that was George growing up.
"He was always quite a quiet guy but when he's around his boys he'll have some fun and crack a few jokes - other than that he's mostly a quiet person."
When asked of his own aspirations to play international rugby, Sililoto said he still yearned for a Samoan test cap after playing for the Samoan under-20 side.
"Most of us used rugby as a pathway - most of us did because it was either that, or there was a lot of gang stuff going on.
"Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to represent Samoa. I represented Samoa in the under-20s and that was a big thing for me but I've got family now and that's where the money is - it's way harder now."
As Samoa gears up for the match - which will be one of the biggest sporting events ever staged in Samoa - Sililoto said plenty of family would be preparing for the spectacle.
"It'll be a good match, we'll be seeing a lot of Samoan flair out there and guys who want to prove themselves against one of the best [sides] in the world - the All Blacks.
"My heart says it'll be a close one but, knowing the All Blacks, they're such a dominant team. It will either be real close or a big hiding."
-Samoa v All Blacks in Apia tomorrow, kick-off 2pm.
