Fonoti firing for the Pride as Williams relishes a stable squad
HE twice paid his way for an opportunity to play with the Northern Pride, but now second-rower Kenneth Fonoti is making a name for himself with strong performances.
Fonoti is one of the more unheralded performers of the Pride this season, putting in consistently solid showings.
Pride coach Ty Williams said he was concerned when a heavier Fonoti returned after a break, but that has only aided the edge backrower in securing a spot in the Hostplus Cup team.
And it’s caught the attention of several Cowboys players.
“I was a bit concerned when Kenny came back at 108 kilo,” Williams said. “He had a very good break.
“What we are seeing is Kenny can carry that weight. He fluctuates between 105 and 107 at the moment. That extra couple of kilos is helping the edge back rower.
“I thought he was a quiet achiever against the Dolphins a couple of weeks ago. He scored the first try.
“He’s continued to work really hard. That’s the pleasing thing with Kenny. He’s a young fella who has paid his own way to Australia twice. He’s getting the rewards.
“He will continue on his development pathway.
“He hasn’t gone unnoticed by the likes of Hamster, Cons and Mayney (Cowboys trio Ben Hampton, Connelly Lemuelu and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown) as well.
“They were talking about his performance after the last game.
“If Kenny can keep working hard, the rewards will come, and he’s getting that at the moment starting in the HPC.”
The Pride travels to Rockhampton to face the high-flying Capras this Saturday, and Williams has named a similar line-up to the one which beat Redcliffe a fortnight ago.
The squad may change if Cowboys coach Todd Payten sends players back to the Pride later this week.