He’s the 107 kilogram young powerhouse forward who could well force his way into a Sea Eagles NRL jersey this season.
At just 19 and still eligible to play SG Ball, the 193cm Samuela Fainu has certainly captured the attention of the Sea Eagles coaching staff with his raw and powerful athletic ability in his first pre-season as part of Manly's top 30 squad.
Sea Eagles Coach Anthony Seibold said Fainu has enjoyed a really consistent pre-season.
“One of the things that we’ve seen from Samuela is that he has shown a real increase across the board from a physical status,'' Seibold said.
“The thing I like about Samuela is that he has good game sense and is a very skillful player.
“We would expect that if Samuela continues to go like he has been over the pre-season for him to make his NRL debut at some stage in 2023.”
It would be a just reward for Fainu after joining the Sea Eagles as a development player at the age of 14.
Having come through the club’s Pathways program, he played in the undefeated 2021 Harold Matthews Cup premiership winning team before going on to play SG Ball Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup.
Manly’s NRL Skills Development Coach, Steven Hales, has played a significant part in Samuela’s journey, having met him through his brothers at the age of nine.
“From the first time I met Samuela, he's always had a football IQ, skill, and leadership qualities beyond his years,’’ Hales said.
“He has a real love for the game. Samuela has this ability to be able to play tough and roll up the sleeves when he needs to. He also has the skills and finesse to be able to have that ‘X factor’ when you need to lean on that as well.
“For his age, Samuela has embraced training with the men. Being on a full-time program, he has really improved that physical component of his game.
“He is now starting to get the body to go with the skillset and mentality that he’s always had.
“Samuela has always played front row but last year when he played back-row, it looked like he had played there all his life such is his understanding of the game.
“Physically, he can meet the demands of both positions. It makes for a pretty good talent for someone who has got plenty of upside in the game. If he keeps his head down, he has got a bright future.”
Hales added Fainu displays many great qualities for a young man, who outside of training, is also visiting schools and conducting rugby league clinics working as an NRL Assistant Development Officer.
“Samuela is always very respectful, very humble,’’ Hales added.
“What has always stood out to me is he is always smiling. He is one of those people that team-mates love to play next to. As a player, that’s one of the biggest compliments you can get.
“Samuela is one of those guys that if you walk past, he is always saying hello and wants to shake your hand. If you are carrying something, he wants to help.
“He is one of those boys who wants to know what he can do for you rather than what you can do for him.”
As for Samuela himself, the quietly spoken youngster is just enjoying every moment of NRL training alongside his very talented brother, Latu.
“I have learnt so much already from the playing group, especially from guys like Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, and Haumole Olakau’atu,’’ Samuela said.
“They just tell me to play with confidence. If something doesn’t go right, to just get on with it and to play my natural game.
“The coaching staff have been great. ‘Seibs’ is big on having individual chats and tell us what we need to improve on and what we are doing well.
“I’ve already lost eight kilos. I just feel stronger and faster than last year.
“If the NRL debut comes this year, then happy days, but if it doesn’t, then I’m not too stressed. This year is all about learning for me.”
