Wests Tigers official podcast Behind The Roar is shining a light on some of the club’s younger players over summer, as preparations continue ahead of the 2024 NRL season.
Episode 39 of BTR is available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
The pre-season series of BTR includes six players who are on NRL Development contracts and five who are part of the club’s top-30 roster.
Seven are yet to make their NRL debut, and all but two have played in Wests Tigers pathways teams.
This week we chat to Solomona Faataape, a 23-year-old centre from Brisbane who was a standout in the Queensland Cup last year, helping Brisbane Tigers win their first premiership in more than 30 years.
He talks about what it means to be given this opportunity, the benefits of being able to train full time, how he was off the pace when he first joined the club, and how something as simple as a free bottle of Powerade can mean so much.
It’s not lost on Solomona how big a step it is from playing Q Cup, to being a full-time professional. He says it’s a ‘massive privilege’ to be able to train full time and not have to be working in another job as well.
A personal trainer and fitness instructor, this young Queenslander is enjoying the little things that come with being in the system full time.
Asked what he enjoys most about being with an NRL squad, he’s quick to respond.
“The free lunches, I love that we often get supplied our lunch for free, and the free bottles of Powerade,” he said.
Adding, “When I know there’s a free lunch after training it makes the day extra special.”
It’s a massive privilege being here and I will never take these little things for granted.
Solomona Faataape
Voted players’ player last year for Brisbane Tigers, who were the eventual premiers of the 2023 Queensland Cup, Faataape was easy to spot.
He was the guy scoring tries for fun, and hard to miss with the bleached blonde hair. He’s back to natural brown these days and there’s a reason for that.
“I promised myself that if I ever joined an NRL club, I’d get rid of the blonde,” he said.
“And so, when Wests Tigers came calling, it went.”
While the blonde has gone, the desire to play NRL is as strong as ever for this fleet-footed, aggressive centre.
"It would be amazing but right now I'm just happy to play my part but if the opportunity came I would grab it with both hands," he said.
Of Samoan heritage, Faataape is well aware that he's not alone on this journey.
I’ve had my whole village behind me waiting for this big opportunity.
Solomona Faataape
Faataape will make his first appearance for Wests Tigers in Sunday's Pre-season Challenge match against the New Zealand Warriors in Christchurch.
