Manase Fainu tells Wests Tigers brothers to stop visiting him in jail and focus on footy

Former NRL hooker Manase Fainu has delivered a message to his three brothers at the Wests Tigers from prison, telling them to stay away from him and focus on their footy.

Jailed former NRL hooker Manase Fainu has told his three Wests Tigers brothers to stop visiting him in prison during the footy season and focus on becoming rugby league stars.

And this masthead can reveal Fainu is spending two days a week at the Clarence Correctional Centre near Grafton teaching fellow inmates the skills of rugby league.

Fainu also told his lawyer Paul McGirr of a burning desire to re-establish his rugby league career - either with or against his brothers - when paroled, which could be late next year.

Now 26, Manase asked that McGirr release these quotes to this masthead.

“I hope I can be given a chance to play NRL again one day. I am keeping busy and trying to keep fit with that goal in mind every day,” Fainu said.

Fainu attempts to monitor the careers of his three younger brothers - Sione, Latu and Samuela – through prison televisions and newspapers.

Former NRL player Manase Fainu. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

All three brothers played for Wests Tigers against the Warriors last weekend with Latu and Sione to confront Gold Coast this Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval. Samuela is out with a knee injury.

“Manase is the eldest boy who led the charge for them all getting into footy,” McGirr said.

“He said to his brothers: ‘Don’t worry about me – I’ll be fine. Just take advantage of the opportunities that you’ve been given to play footy’.

“Because he is so far away up there at Clarence, Manase told them to stay away and focus on their footy because they support the family. He wants them not to worry about him.

“Manase follows the careers of his brothers closely on TV or through the newspapers. I speak to Manase and this is what he has told me. I’m in regular contact with him and will back him.”

Wests Tigers brothers Latu, Sinoe and Samuela Fainu. Picture: NRL Photos

A one-Test Tongan international, Manase works two days a week completing a football program with other inmates while cutting grass and weeding three days a week.

“He is a popular inmate that has something to offer in terms of giving fellow inmates some extra rugby league skills – passing, kicking, attack, the right techniques,” McGirr said.

“There are a lot of young blokes in there not doing long sentences who are actual park footy players.

“It helps with their mental wellbeing. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Manase is giving them something to do and it helps take their minds off the dreary environment of a prison - hours upon hours are spent sitting around clockwatching.”

Fainu will be 27 when released and hopes to play footy again at the highest level having played 34 games for Manly in 2018 and 2019.

Manase Fainu playing for Manly in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

“Manase’s dream is to one day get back onto the park and play with or against his brothers, like they did as young kids,” McGirr said.

“He is committed to doing his time and getting another opportunity to fulfil the dream that he started in his family by playing rugby league.

“That’s Manase’s goal and I will do anything I can to assist him with his parole and hopefully re-entry into the NRL.

“It won’t be easy as ‘father time’ stops for nobody, nor does he have all the elite exercise equipment or dietary requirements, but he’s ready for the challenge and if he does his time he should be given that chance.”

In August 2022, Fainu was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to eight years in prison with a non-parole period of four years and three months.

He was charged after stabbing a man with a ten centimetre knife at a church dance in western Sydney.

“He’s doing really well under the circumstances. He’s been a model prisoner by all accounts and will be eligible for parole later next year,” McGirr said.

Originally published as Manase Fainu tells Wests Tigers brothers to stop visiting him in jail and focus on footy