Origin experience driving Fainu to front row seat

Entering NSW under 19s camp in July, Samuela Fainu couldn’t wait to work under former Test and Origin back-rowers Andrew Ryan and Josh Jackson.

With 532 NRL games and 21 Blues appearances between them, they loomed as the ideal mentors for the aspiring Fainu, who had broken into first grade with Manly and played five matches as an edge back-rower.

Given the honour of captaining his state against the Maroons, Fainu ran for 110 metres and had four tackle breaks as NSW saluted Queensland 32-14 in Redcliffe.

Adding even more merit to the performance was the fact he’d been handed the No.10 jersey and asked to play the unfamiliar role of middle forward.

"Throughout that whole year I was playing in the edge back-rower position but that was my first time playing in the middle," said Fainu, now at the Wests Tigers and ready to showcase his new-found versatility.

"For me to learn those little details in how to play as a prop, I was able to take that back to my new club and now I’m capable at playing as a back-rower and a middle.

"The experience of the camp on its own was really cool, learning off all the old heads like Bobcat (Ryan) and Josh Jackson, putting bits and pieces of their advice into my game.

"I knew there was heaps of boys wanting to make the side or even the squad but to be picked in the team and named as captain was just the cherry on top.”

Arriving at Concord for the 2024 pre-season after signing with the Wests Tigers earlier this year, Fainu said he has already been training more in the front row position with his new club.

Linking up with family friend and specialist front rower Stefano Utoikamanu who made his debut for New South Wales this year, Fainu knows he's in good hands to take his game to new heights next season.

"I’ve been training in the middle a lot more, we haven’t talked much about where I’ll be playing yet but I’ve just been in and out of backrow and the middle so far," Fainu said.

"I definitely want to learn more off Stefano. I grew up knowing his family so I’m pretty close with him and can talk to him as a friend.

"He’s someone I definitely look up to and want to learn more from.

"Stefano also played junior Origin and like him, I’d love to go on and play for my State one day. Just seeing someone you know make a team like that gives you such a drive and makes it seem possible I guess."

Inking the four-year new deal alongside his brother Latu, Fainu said he is already  dreaming of donning the Wests Tigers colours alongside his younger brother, a promising five-eighth who is yet to make his NRL debut. 

Latu and Samuela will also link up with their older brother Sione, who played for the Western Suburbs NSW Cup team this year. 

"I’m just all about learning at the moment, I know I’ve still got stuff to learn but my goal at the moment is to make my club debut for the Tigers alongside my brother, that would be unreal.

"We played together in NSW Cup with Manly but I've never played with Sione before so hopefully we can all get on the big stage together one day."