NRL Needs to Invest in Pacific Islands to Unearth More Stars Like Sua Faalogo
The meteoric rise of Melbourne Storm’s electrifying fullback, Sua Faalogo, is not just a testament to his raw talent and the Storm’s renowned player development, but also a glaring reminder of the untapped potential within the Pacific Islands. Rugby league legend Andrew Johns has urged the NRL to significantly increase its investment in developing talent in regions like Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga, citing Faalogo’s journey as compelling evidence of what could be achieved.
Faalogo, a dynamic 23-year-old, has spent the last couple of seasons offering tantalising glimpses of his undeniable brilliance. However, it’s only now, following the unexpected retirement of star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, that he has been handed the reins as Melbourne’s first-choice No. 1. In the opening two rounds of the current season, Faalogo has been a standout performer, playing a pivotal role in the Storm’s victories over Parramatta and St George Illawarra.
His explosive performance against the Dragons, which saw him score a remarkable hat-trick in just 12 minutes to steer his team to victory, evoked memories of past Storm greats like Billy Slater and the injured Papenhuyzen. This dazzling display of attacking prowess is precisely what fans have come to expect from Melbourne’s custodians.
However, Storm coach Craig Bellamy believes that Faalogo’s highlight-reel moments are merely the tip of the iceberg. Bellamy has been particularly impressed by the less visible aspects of Faalogo’s game, highlighting his rapid development and dedication to improvement.
“He’s been impressive during the trials and two games, but it’s probably the little things that people don’t notice I’ve been more impressed with,” Bellamy commented. “We all know how quick he is and how hard he is to tackle… but there’s a few other little things there that we see as important with our fullbacks. He’s really learning there and working hard to improve. Billy’s great with him and obviously there’s not too many better mentors as a fullback than Billy Slater. He’s very fortunate there Sua… he’s going in every time he meets Billy and learning something else or getting that encouragement.”
While Storm skipper Harry Grant has adopted a cautious approach, advising fans to temper their expectations, it’s difficult not to be swept up in the excitement surrounding Faalogo.
Andrew Johns, a prominent admirer of Faalogo’s game from early in his career, has been captivated by the young fullback’s ability to bamboozle defenders and electrify crowds. “He’s unpredictable and it looks like he’s playing in the park in Samoa,” Johns remarked on Immortal Behaviour. “He’s lightning quick, he’s unpredictable – but he’s still learning his game and learning the players around him… he’s just so raw.”
Johns further elaborated on the Storm’s exceptional player development system, stating, “They are an amazing club, they educate their young players coming through and they know the DNA and how they play and coach the positions to play a certain style. Once they come into first grade, they slip into that structure.”
Faalogo’s personal journey, from his birth in Samoa to his relocation to Victoria and subsequent integration into the Storm’s development pathway, serves as a powerful illustration of the vast opportunities for growth in rugby league beyond Australia and New Zealand. Johns shared an anecdote about Faalogo’s early days in Australia, highlighting the challenges he overcame.
“Someone told me that when he first came out to Australia, I don’t know when it was, but at home they would just speak Samoan and he had to understand how to speak English and probably learn,” Johns recounted. “You’d have to understand if you’re in team meetings and Bellyache is spitting everywhere and doing whatever, he’d be sitting there thinking, what is he talking about? But it’s an amazing story and it goes to show that over in the islands like Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, they’ve gotta invest more there.”
Johns also pointed to other Pacific Island talents making their mark in the NRL, such as Kelma Tuilagi, who was born in Samoa and is now a key player for the Parramatta Eels. “I love watching Sua play, he’s a ball of energy and one of those players that when he gets the ball, you can’t help but smile,” Johns added.
These sentiments from Andrew Johns come at a pertinent time as the NRL celebrates its annual Multicultural Round, an event designed to showcase the sport’s rich diversity and the significant contributions of players from various cultural backgrounds.
Sua Faalogo is set to feature in the highly anticipated grand final rematch this Friday night against the Brisbane Broncos, where he will once again have the opportunity to display his extraordinary talent on a national stage. His emergence underscores the critical need for the NRL to bolster its support and development programs in the Pacific Islands, a region brimming with athletic talent and a deep passion for the game. Increased investment could unlock a wealth of future stars, enriching the NRL landscape for years to come.
