Wests Tigers man mountain Thomas Mikaele ready to terrorise Manly
He was part of arguably the biggest pack in Australian schoolboys history, and Wests Tigers giant Thomas Mikaele says he owes plenty to the lessons learnt at famous league nursery Keebra Park.
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This is the new Wests Tigers giant who was part of arguably the biggest forward pack in Australian schoolboys history.
He is Thomas Mikaele, who stands 190cm, weighs 110kg and will come off the bench in his NRL debut against Manly on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval.
Mikaele, 21, was part of the GIO Cup-winning Keebra Park State High schoolboy side along with the fellow NRL giants David Fifita, Payne Haas (both Broncos) and Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast). The four weigh a combined total of almost 450kg.
Rising Brisbane halfback Tanah Boyd was also part of the Keebra side.
Haas and Mikaele were Keebra’s starting front-rowers. Mikaele’s selection continues the strong bond between Wests Tigers and Gold Coast-based Keebra Park, the school of champion Benji Marshall.
“It’s was a pretty funny class,” Mikaele says. “There are a couple of boys playing grade now. Of course, Payne Hass, me and him were in the front-row. David Fifita was in the back-row.
“Moeaki Fotuaika down at the Titans, he was on the bench. It’s exciting to join the boys who take the step into the NRL. We are all close mates as well, we all keep in contact.
“I was happy for them but it also inspired me. We shared a lot of memories at school.
“I’ve talked to them and they told me to stick at it and your time will come. And it’s now here.
“They have shown me the great respect I have shown them. I am just grateful to have my mates there for me.”
“The Keebra Park program was connected down here to Wests Tigers. I was lucky enough to be scouted and get a contract here after school. Benji is basically the king here. He is obviously the king of Keebra Park as well. He put the school on the map.
“He is a great character who is always pushing us young boys, giving us words of advice, on and off the field. All the boys, they never let you down.”
Mikaele, a Wests Tigers development player last year, is an agile prop with foot work. He is expected to rip and tear when given his chance before the Leichhardt faithful.
He travelled two hours a day attending Keebra Park, a clear sign of his desire to succeed in rugby league.
“I was born in New Zealand but my family came over to Queensland when I was five. I grew up in Ipswich around Goodna,” he said.
“I would travel from Ipswich to Keebra Park every day, which was a two-hour commute each day there and back. Even though it was a two-hour commute, I owe a lot to my parents, family and Keebra Park as well.
“I wasn’t the best kid growing up footy-wise. I was always in the second teams, the B-teams. I wasn’t the best at footy but I just worked hard. I have developed over the years and, as the saying goes, I am who am I am now.
“I actually didn’t go to Keebra Park for footy. To be honest, I just went there because my mates went. Little did I know that a couple of years later I would be here. I’m just grateful for the lessons I have learnt, past and present.”
Mikaele admitted to bouts of homesickness after arriving in Sydney. He never told club officials but there were times when he considered quitting to return home.
“Growing up in a Polynesian family, it’s hard because we are a real close family. All we do is basically for our family. I was missing home and all my mates,” he said.
“It’s been real hard for me over the last two years, coming out of school, having never moved out of home. I have had a few tears along the way but the boys have made me feel welcome.
“I have found my way and am liking my time here now. I’m enjoying Sydney.”
Originally published as Wests Tigers man mountain Thomas Mikaele ready to terrorise Manly
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