In the latest Northern Beaches Review, Adam Lucius writes:
"Loyalty a Two-Way Street
Manly's decision to stand by suspended hooker Manase Fainu as he awaits his day in court played a major part in the club nabbing young superstar brother Latu to potentially the richest deal for a teenager in rugby league history.
Latu, 16, a five-eighth with an outrageous skill set, could earn over a million dollars in the next four years if he hits certain KPI's in his contract. Several NRL clubs were chasing his signature but the rookie No. 6 and his family only had eyes for the Sea Eagles.
The club has stuck solid with Manase after he was charged with stabbing a man at a church dance in 2019. He has not played since under the NRL's stand down policy but Manly is willing to wait it out until his court case is heard in late July.
The Fainu family, which includes two other Sea Eagles in young forwards Samuela and Sione, is deeply appreciative of the support and feels a debt of gratitude.
Mother Lile revealed the family was that poor at one stage it struggled to afford a loaf of bread, but Latu is now talking about buying his parents a house with his financial bonanza."
"Loyalty a Two-Way Street
Manly's decision to stand by suspended hooker Manase Fainu as he awaits his day in court played a major part in the club nabbing young superstar brother Latu to potentially the richest deal for a teenager in rugby league history.
Latu, 16, a five-eighth with an outrageous skill set, could earn over a million dollars in the next four years if he hits certain KPI's in his contract. Several NRL clubs were chasing his signature but the rookie No. 6 and his family only had eyes for the Sea Eagles.
The club has stuck solid with Manase after he was charged with stabbing a man at a church dance in 2019. He has not played since under the NRL's stand down policy but Manly is willing to wait it out until his court case is heard in late July.
The Fainu family, which includes two other Sea Eagles in young forwards Samuela and Sione, is deeply appreciative of the support and feels a debt of gratitude.
Mother Lile revealed the family was that poor at one stage it struggled to afford a loaf of bread, but Latu is now talking about buying his parents a house with his financial bonanza."
)
