New Shark Solomona will smash Union says Tuitupou
SAM TUITUPOU predicts an exciting future in Union for Castleford contract rebel Denny Solomona once the winger completes his move to Sale.
Solomona’s premature ‘resignation’ from League has made him public enemy number one in the former Yorkshire mining town, where, only a short time ago, his record try-scoring exploits saw him hero-worshipped from the terraces.
However, the 23year-old will find a friendly face at Sale in the form of fit-again centre and fellow Aucklander, Tuitupou.
“He is a lot younger than me but we know each other from back home in Auckland,” Tuitupou told TRP.
“When he does get the opportunity, I am sure he will grab it with both hands. I thought he was flying in League but he’s opted to take up another challenge so fair play to him.
“I spoke to him about rugby, whether that swayed him one way or the other, who knows. With Denny, he has played a bit of rugby before at High School so I think picking up the game will be a lot easier for him than it will be Josh (Charnley).”
Ex-Wigan RL ace Charnley, who made his Premiership debut at Wasps last weekend, was a complete novice when he crossed codes at the end of October.
“Josh has settled in. For him it is about trying to soak up everything each day as it comes, and not get too frustrated about it,” said Tuitupou.
“He’s not going to learn it all in a season, it will take a couple of seasons.”
League-lover Tuitupou revealed he once had the chance of a career in the NRL.
“To be honest, I prefer League - to play and maybe to watch as well. I played a lot of it growing up and I was offered a contract to go to Australia and join Canberra Raiders when Mal Meninga was head coach. But my parents said I was too young and Rugby ended up being the sport I went with. That’s just the way it went and I’m happy with what I have achieved.”
Tuitupou made his first league start of the season in the loss to Wasps at the Ricoh Arena having recovered from knee surgery a month earlier than expected.
The 34-year-old former All Black put his time on the sidelines to good use, building a two-storey extension at his home. Building is in the family and a return to the trade may be in the offing at the end of the season.
“It depends on where I am. If I am here on this side of the world or back in New Zealand. At the minute, I am doing my coaching badges and got a bit of sports massage under me as well and I could get back into building. A lot of my family back home are builders.”