Kata right at home in new centre role
Oh, baby: Chance discussion has potential to lift his all-round game
A chance discussion early in preseason might have changed the course of Solomone Kata’s career at the Warriors.
After four seasons playing at left centre, Kata has been switched to the right flank this year, and the omens already look positive.
Kata had a strong start last Saturday against the Bulldogs, scoring two tries, setting up a couple of breaks, contributing 19 tackles and running for 99 metres.
No one is getting carried away — it’s only March — but it feels like there will be long-term benefits from the positional change.
“I love it,” said Kata. “That’s what I have needed for ages, to go back to the right. But I was glad they finally realised that and they brought me back to that side.”
After being signed from Sacred Heart College, where he was on a rugby scholarship after being spotted in Tonga, Kata played all his junior league on the right edge, including the triumphant 2014 Holden Cup season.
But back then, Konrad Hurrell was a fixture as right centre in the NRL team, and Kata’s chance came with an injury to Ngani Laumape ahead of the 2015 campaign.
“I went up to the NRL and they put me on the left,” said Kata. “There was an opportunity for me to have a crack at the top side. [Over the years] they thought I was a left edge player, and at that time, I was thinking what’s the difference between left and right?
“But now I know what my strengths are. I know my strengths there and I feel more comfortable.”
Kata explains his left foot step feels stronger than his right. It also feels more natural to carry the ball with his right arm and fend with his left.
Kata has still performed well on the left since 2015 — he topped the Warriors’ try-scoring charts twice — but from his perspective, there was always a slight misalignment.
The chance for correction came during a session last December, when Kata ended up on the right side during some drills.
“We were training under fatigue, people can jump in on any side,” said Kata. “[Later] Stacey [ Jones] asked me, ‘have you played right edge before?’ [He said] I looked comfortable there.”
From that moment, an idea was sparked.
“We asked him and he said he has always been a natural right side player,” said Warriors assistant coach Jones. “We were talking about it later as coaches. Peta [Hiku] and Gerard [Beale] are comfortable either side, so we thought about giving Sol a crack in pre-season. We switched it early on and he has been there ever since.”
It could be the catalyst for a new, improved Kata.
Still only 23, the 1.77m, 104kg Kata has played more games for the Warriors than anyone else at the club (88) but the transition could help unlock his potential and broaden his all-round game.
“It’s pretty different to play,” said Kata. “On my left, I didn’t feel so comfortable with anything that I do. I was looking in and can’t realise what is outside. On the right side, I feel more comfortable about putting the winger into space.”
Kata’s positive frame of mind is also helped by a strong pre-season.
“He has trained really hard,” said Jones. “He has applied himself to everything that has been thrown at him. He has put the work in and done everything he has needed to do.”
Parenthood has also changed Kata’s world, with the fearsome centre a doting father to his 18-monthold daughter.
“It’s the best experience ever — I love it,” said Kata. “I thought it would be hard, especially the first one, but it’s the best. I love going home. I’ll be tired after training and she gives you a smile and everything is just gone.”