REDMEN SIGN SAMOAN REPRESENTATIVE PAIR
HE’S built like a fridge and hits like a freight train.
Grafton Redmen prop and crowd favourite Lolesio Lavea has been a revelation at the Club with his fearsome running style and powerful scrummaging.
And it appears the popular front-rower is not the only one in his family who excels at the 15-a-side game.
Redmen fans are in for a real treat on Saturday when Sio’s brother Senio Manu Faalupega and his friend Wally Tau-Vesi take the field for the Redmen against the Kempsey Cannonballs.
Wally, an elusive, gifted fullback and Senio, a quality flanker, should add plenty of spark and depth to the Redmen.
So why all the hype?
Well, there’s a good reason.
Wally has represented the Samoan under- 20s National side alongside his friend Senio. In fact, both players featured in the under-20s World Cup in Scotland last year.
Add to that their selection in the under-20s Moana Pasifika side, which Wally captained, and you can understand why Grafton Redmen first grade coach Gary Powell is sporting a huge smile.
“From what I’ve heard and seen on video, they are both quality players who will bring a lot of strike-power to the side,” Powell said at training on Thursday night.
“Sio (Lolesio Laveea) told me his brother was playing in the under twenties World Cup for Samoa and I said to Sio we need to get him here.
“Sio said he would love to get his brother to play in Grafton so we started the process and as a bonus his good mate Wally indicated he wouldn’t mind coming over as well.”
Powell is renowned for his ability and determination to attract players to the Redmen Club, not only to develop them as players and enrich their personal development, but to strengthen the playing roster in an era where most country rugby clubs struggle for numbers.
“It took a lot of phone calls and text messages to get both players to agree to come to Grafton,” Powell said.
“Wally looks like a player full of class, and he’ll add plenty of attacking flair to the side.
“Senio is a workhorse, his defence is outstanding, and he’ll also provide us with a good lineout option.
“It’s exciting news for the club and I haven’t stopped smiling for two days.”
The two new recruits have added an increasing international flavour to the Redmen Club who have not won a first-grade premiership since 2006.
Arriving in Grafton on Thursday morning, Senio said he was looking forward to playing alongside his brother Sio for the first time in his rugby career.
Nico