Man on a mission - Faumuina takes up rugby
April 7, 2010 - 2:03PM
Wayward former New Zealand Test forward Sione Faumuina has switched codes and is determined to put his controversial past behind him in Brisbane club rugby union.
The ex-Warriors and Cowboys back-rower has been dumped or disciplined at his last four league clubs after being involved in off-field incidents.
But former Wallabies flanker Chris Roche, Faumuina's new coach at Norths Eagles, said the 29-year-old was intent on making a name for himself on the field in rugby.
"Sione has been one of our best trainers," Roche said. "He is enormously talented, but more importantly is diligent, an active listener and a man on a mission.
"I support him 100 percent."
Roche has selected Faumuina, renowned as a destructive ball-playing forward, to play inside centre in his debut against Wests at Toowong on Saturday.
Norths have been perennial competition battlers but have risen under Roche in recent seasons and are also the club of Wallabies halfback Will Genia.
Faumuina played two Tests for the Kiwis during his five-year stint with the Warriors, which ended in 2006 following repeated cases of alcohol-related misconduct.
He then signed with English Super League club Harlequins but had his contract torn up in the pre-season.
Faumuina returned Down Under to play with North Queensland but was embroiled in controversy when put on strict behavioural guidelines after a single vehicle car accident midway through the 2008 season.
Castleford took a chance on him last year but he parted ways with the club after being dropped for disciplinary reasons by coach Terry Matterson.
His departure was tinged in more controversy with English reports he missed a court hearing in August on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm at a Yorkshire nightclub in February.
Faumuina originally sought interest from Queensland Cup league clubs before starting pre-season training with the Eagles.
Brisbane's 2010 premier rugby competition will also include former Wallabies No.8 Toutai Kefu who will play out his career with Sunshine Coast after finishing a lengthy lucrative stint with Japanese club Kubota.
