FORWARD THINKING
Teen sensation steps up for Valleys Roosters
RUGBY LEAGUE: It takes a special talent to be thrown into the deep end for one of the biggest fixtures on the TRL calendar.
Luckily teenager Xavier Va’a is just that.
The 17-year-old got his first taste of A-grade football for the Valleys Roosters as they took on Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy champions Highfields at the weekend.
Backing up from the under-18s earlier in the day, Va’a answered the call from coach Matt Schulze to step up to the top level.
He came off the bench in the main game at Kuhls Rd and helped set up a try in the Roosters’ 48-30 victory.
The talented forward, in just
his second week of football back after a wrist injury, said it was an experience he won’t forget.
“It was unreal,” he said. “Playing A-grade for Valleys, they’ve always been a successful club and it was just great to wear the red and black and represent the colours.
“I was pretty nervous because I knew there was a lot of hype around the club with Pat Templeman and Cory McGrady directing the team around.
“I was ready to go. Whatever Schulzey wanted, I was ready to turn up. I didn’t want to play any other game bar Highfields because it’s always good to play against the tough teams.
“I knew we had the talent in our team to get us through.
“All I had to do was focus on my role and do my job, make my tackles and runs.
“The first hit-up was physical, but I loved it.
“Once I got into it, I didn’t want to get off the field.”
After a lay-off, Va’a said he is ready to finish the season on a high with the U18s finals series looming.
“I’m definitely feeling a lot better,” he said.
“The wrist injury kept me out of a lot of school footy (with St Mary’s College) and also club footy.
“I missed it heaps, but once I got my opportunity to get back out there, I didn’t look back.”
Schulze paid credit to the efforts of the young forward.
“He was excellent,” Schulze said.
I WAS PRETTY NERVOUS BECAUSE I KNEW THERE WAS A LOT OF HYPE AROUND THE CLUB WITH PAT TEMPLEMAN AND CORY MCGRADY DIRECTING THE TEAM AROUND. XAVIER VA’A
“I don’t think too many can step in to play a side like Highfields that haven’t lost at home after pretty much a full game of U18s and play in the middle.
“He got some good late offloads away.
“I always wanted him to play A-grade this year but obviously injury prevented it. With Eugene (Seddon) a late scratching, I wanted to make sure he got through his game all right, and he was really keen to play.”