St George Illawarra recruit Atelea Vea is a good example of why loyalty isn’t completely dead in the NRL.
It’s not that Vea is a one-club man. The 25-year-old second-rower has been all around the place including NRL stints at Cronulla and Melbourne.
But the St George local junior has been lured back to the red V purely because of his love for the club.
A product of Hurstville United, Vea would have stayed at the Dragons if he had his way, but the cut-throat nature of professional rugby league forced him to continue his career elsewhere.
Vea was all but ready to commit to a move to the English Super League this season, until the Dragons showed some interest.
If it was any other NRL team he says he’d already be training in the north of England, but a return to his roots was an offer too good to refuse.
That’s quite a commitment, especially given he’s no certainty to be an NRL regular as coach Steve Price has plenty of representative strength on offer in the back row.
Vea will run out in the red and white for the first time since he was a teenager when St George Illawarra face Canterbury in a trial match at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.
“I was talking to my family discussing my future. I was uncertain what I was going to do and the opportunity came to go to St George, and it was like prayers answered,” said the Tongan international.
“It’s going to be a buzz. I’ve enjoyed training and to put all that hard work in so it should be good, I’m excited.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a good game (against the Bulldogs). Everybody’s in the same position vying for spots and I’m expecting in the first 10 minutes everyone will come out blazing.”
Vea has joined the Dragons from the Storm with another St George junior, Chase Stanley, and has started rooming with Canberra recruit Daniel Vidot.
Meanwhile, in other NRL trial action, Newcastle are playing a combined Newcastle area representative team at Tomaree Sportsground on Friday night.
The Knights are resting their big name players for next week’s hit-out against Penrith, but there’s an opportunity for young players to impress new coach Wayne Bennett.
Wes Naiqama’s younger brother Kevin is an exciting prospect and will play fullback, while centre Siutonga Likiliki, lock Zane Tetevano and halfback Tyrone Roberts have a chance to build on their experiences in first grade last year.
Controversial former Wests Tigers and Penrith firebrand Dane Laurie will come off the bench, while young forwards Korbin Sims, Kyle O’Donnell and Alex McKinnon will start in the pack.
