Tweet
By Dean Ritchie December 03, 2008
SYDNEY Roosters recruit Sisa Waqa is a player who has been described as a combination of Greg Inglis and Israel Folau rolled into one.
In rugby union's Shute Shield this year, he scored 26 tries in just 18 games playing for Gordon.
Now flying winger Waqa has walked away from the 15-man code to sign a two-year contract with the Roosters worth about $150,000.
Waqa, 21, could become a "sensation" in the NRL, according to Gordon coach Lachlan Fear.
"He has the physical attributes to destroy rugby league," Fear said.
"Sisa is a mix of (Australia stars) Greg Inglis and Israel Folau. He has power, footwork and speed. He has the shape of Inglis and the ability to run through people like Folau.
"He is naturally strong and very disciplined. He is a professional sportsman."
Rather than be bitter, Fear said he was pleased Waqa had moved on to rugby league.
"Sisa will leave a big hole for us - one that will be difficult to fill," he said.
"He is a superstar in the making. It just depends how long it takes for him to adapt to league.
"But we are happy to be able to help him further his career. We have been the catalyst for him to earn a contract we can't match."
Waqa has already started training with the Roosters and is hoping to make the club's top 25 squad.
"It will be a big challenge for me, changing codes," he said.
"The hardest part will be adapting to the environment and the training. League is a bit tough and hard, especially at NRL level.
"There will be a lot of competition but by working hard in the pre-season, I'm ready to prove I can make it with the Roosters and play first grade."
Waqa has represented Fijian schoolboys, under-19s, under-21s and Fiji A and has a promising league future, according to Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce.
"He is an exciting outside back," Noyce said.
"(Roosters recruitment officer) Peter O'Sullivan heard about him through a rugby contact and then looked at a few tapes of Sisa.
"He was then invited to train with us. He was impressive to the extent where we signed him and he is now part of our club."
SYDNEY Roosters recruit Sisa Waqa is a player who has been described as a combination of Greg Inglis and Israel Folau rolled into one.
In rugby union's Shute Shield this year, he scored 26 tries in just 18 games playing for Gordon.
Now flying winger Waqa has walked away from the 15-man code to sign a two-year contract with the Roosters worth about $150,000.
Waqa, 21, could become a "sensation" in the NRL, according to Gordon coach Lachlan Fear.
"He has the physical attributes to destroy rugby league," Fear said.
"Sisa is a mix of (Australia stars) Greg Inglis and Israel Folau. He has power, footwork and speed. He has the shape of Inglis and the ability to run through people like Folau.
"He is naturally strong and very disciplined. He is a professional sportsman."
Rather than be bitter, Fear said he was pleased Waqa had moved on to rugby league.
"Sisa will leave a big hole for us - one that will be difficult to fill," he said.
"He is a superstar in the making. It just depends how long it takes for him to adapt to league.
"But we are happy to be able to help him further his career. We have been the catalyst for him to earn a contract we can't match."
Waqa has already started training with the Roosters and is hoping to make the club's top 25 squad.
"It will be a big challenge for me, changing codes," he said.
"The hardest part will be adapting to the environment and the training. League is a bit tough and hard, especially at NRL level.
"There will be a lot of competition but by working hard in the pre-season, I'm ready to prove I can make it with the Roosters and play first grade."
Waqa has represented Fijian schoolboys, under-19s, under-21s and Fiji A and has a promising league future, according to Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce.
"He is an exciting outside back," Noyce said.
"(Roosters recruitment officer) Peter O'Sullivan heard about him through a rugby contact and then looked at a few tapes of Sisa.
"He was then invited to train with us. He was impressive to the extent where we signed him and he is now part of our club."
Comment