Young gun joins Pride for his shot at dream
Talented Kiwi teenager Kenneth Fonoti already impressing coaches
NEW Zealand teenager Kenneth Fonoti reached out to the Northern Pride in the off-season in search of an opportunity – and he got one.
The 19-year-old outside back moved from Auckland to Far North Queensland last month after his calls for a shot at the rugby league dream were answered by the Cairnsbased Intrust Super Cup club.
Fonoti will join the Pride’s Hastings Deerings Colts under-20s squad for the 2020 season, but will have the chance to play first grade if he can prove himself.
It’s an unexpected opportunity the rising talent is determined not to let pass him by.
“I was just playing club footy at home, so I thought I’d give it a crack here,” he said.
“I had played with a few of the New Zealand boys that were already here and they edged me to come over, saying ‘you’ll learn heaps’.
“They’re in the same position as me and they’re learning a lot and getting fitter and I’m hoping I can do the same.”
Fonoti said it was a hard decision to leave friends and family in New Zealand, but it was the right move for him to get to the next level.
“There were better options and better opportunities here,” he said.
Fonoti is living with teammate and fellow New Zealander Raymon Tuaimalo Vaega, who joined the Pride as a development player in the off-season.
The pair were both named in the Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial Premiership Team of the Year last season and went on to represent the Auckland U19s against France.
Pride U20 coach Dave Scott said they were part of a small group of New Zealanders who had paid their own way to join the club in 2020.
“These guys see the Pride as a really exciting opportunity and a pathway to professional rugby league,” he said.
“They want to fully commit because it’s cost them money to come here and it’s cost them time away from their family.”
The coach said Fonoti would bolster his backline as a versatile fullback or centre option.
“He does a job like a forward when I’ve watched him at fullback in his games,” he said.
“He comes in and takes carries on the third and fourth tackle and he’s a big body and crashes into the line.
“He’s got a lot to work on but he’s got some foundations that are making me excited to have him in the team.”
Fonoti has been a bit of a success story in his first month at the club, catching the eye of Intrust Super Cup coach Ty Williams.