The honesty session fuelling Wong's rise after tough 2024

Roosters forward Siua Wong has credited a brutal end-of-season review with coach Trent Robinson and some inspiration from the NFL for his dominant start to the 2025 campaign. 

The 21-year-old burst on to the scene after making his NRL debut in Round 18 2023, starring throughout the final weeks of the season. A two-year contract extension followed in the off-season and he seemingly made the starting edge forward role his own heading into 2024.

That quickly change last year, however, with Wong dropped after two games and restricted to just nine matches in the top flight. 

Looking back, the forward recognises he took his position for granted and credits an honesty session with Robinson for helping turn things around.

"Robbo is an honest man and he’ll give you credit where credit’s due and there were some players last year that earned their jersey more than I did," Wong said.

"That’s something I have to reflect on and this year I had to come in with the mentality to go after it and not get comfortable being in reserve grade because I believe I’m a first grader and I’ve got to prove that every week.  
 
"Robbo is honest, he’s not going to sugarcoat anything. Once you’re in the comfort zone, it’s easy to stay there so he’ll tell you the truth and that’s something for me to take in.

"There’s a quote that I learned from NFL players that were coach by Nick Saban that said ‘Don’t listen to how he’s saying it, listen to what he’s saying’. That’s something I’ve had to take in as well."

Wong has been among the Roosters best throughout a challenging start to the 2025 campaign, the young forward stepping up with a number of senior players unavailable. 

The Tongan international is averaging 77 running metres a game, significantly higher than both 2023 and 2024, while he made a mammoth 54 tackles in last week's loss to the Warriors. 

He's also on track for career highs in both tackle breaks and post-contact metres, despite having only played three games so far. 

The Roosters are hoping for another big performance from Wong as they look to bounce back in Friday's clash with the Titans. 

The Gold Coast are flying high after a comprehensive victory over the Knights however Wong declared he won't take a backwards step. 

"I went into my shell a bit when I did get dropped originally in Round 2 last year," he said. "I had this excuse, I’ve signed for another two years, my time will come. But over the course of the year I wanted to make that jersey mine and want to be in the first-grade team.

"This year I’ve come in with the mentality to go after it a bit more. It’s taken me a bit out of my comfort zone but that’s the only way you’re going to grow and become better so hopefully I can develop more this year."

Wong's form to start the year has been one of the positives to come out of a tough opening month of the 2025 campaign. 

Off-season departures and injuries have thrust additional responsibility on a young forward pack, with four players making NRL debuts in the first two rounds. 

The cavalry is starting to return with Lindsay Collins and Nat Butcher expected to be back on deck this weekend. 

Wong acknowledges it's been a challenging period but he's confident the club will ultimately benefit in the long run.