Fa’amanu Brown had a mountain to climb just to be back in the NRL, but is now hoping just to take the next step with Wests Tigers and lead a young generation of players out of the rugby league doldrums.
After spending three years away from the NRL, battling a foot injury which left his career in free fall and his chances of ever running again in doubt, the Tigers utility revived his career against all odds when he made his return in May.
Debuting at Cronulla as a 19-year-old in 2014 before shifting to Canterbury in 2018, Brown is no stranger to the NRL stage, but said he has found a home in the orange, black and white of Wests Tigers.
“I definitely want to stay at this club. I see a bright future with the juniors coming through the system and I definitely want to be a part of that," Brown told NRL.com ahead of their Round 18 clash against Panthers.
“You’ve got some more experienced guys like myself, Joe Ofahengaue and James Tamou who are trying to guide them.
“Then there's guys like Fonua Pole (20) and Justin Matamua (19) there with so much energy.
“Fonua has only played two games but you can already see the bright future in him. So we just need to offer a bit of guidance around them and I’m sure they’ll do well."
Despite their narrow 28-20 loss to the Eels in Round 17, Brown was elusive at hooker for Wests, finishing with a try, 21 tackles and 30 run metres from dummy half during his 62-minute performance.
"I’m definitely happy with my game, it was good to play decent in both attack and defence so I’m looking forward to the next challenge," Brown said.
"I guess I’m quite lucky with the push around me but Penrith are going to be aware of that so for me it’s about changing it up and trying to find different ways to get across the line.
"For me, it’s just about playing week-to-week and playing for this club and I’m sure my action will speak louder than my words in the next couple of weeks."
While the Christchurch-born utility may be a leader in the current playing group, he has his own role-models he continues to look up to at the club.
"Personally, I grew up watching the tigers and obviously as a Kiwi kid Benji Marshall was my favourite player," Brown said.
"I actually debuted against Benji Marshall so to be a part of this club is surreal.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/07/16/why-brown-wants-in-on-tigers-bright-nu-future/
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