Gold Coast Titans’ next big thing is a former hip hop dancer Greg Leleisiuao

THE Gold Coast Titans’ next big thing is a former hip hop dancer who rises at 2am to work in a fruit market.

Gold Coast Titans under 20's player Greg Leleisiuao looks forward to what the future has in store.. Picture Glenn Hampson

THE Gold Coast Titans’ next big thing is a former hip hop dancer who rises at 2am to work in a fruit market.

Samoan sensation Greg Leleisiuao has stunned the under-20s Holden Cup this season with his bustling ball-running and scintillating speed.

A 10-minute Youtube highlights reel shows the 18-year-old destroying opponents for Gold Coast Green in the Mal Meninga Cup this year and he has gone on to play eight matches for the under-20s.

The Titans are making moves to lock up Leleisiuao long-term but his meteoric rise nearly didn’t eventuate.

Leleisiuao was signed on a $1000 contract last year after dominating Keebra Park in a third division schoolboys competition for Woodridge High School.

The Auckland-born flyer lives in the Logan suburb of Marsden, sleeps four hours a night and catches public transport to train with the Titans.

It’s a taxing life for a teenager but Leleisiuao’s dream of playing NRL stems from his desire to support the large family he shares a home with.

“The struggle has always been there for our family but it’s good to be there for them,” he said.

“I just want to get to the NRL as quick as possible. I’m working hard for that.

“I love the game but for the love of my family. I want to support them more than anything.

“I’d love to wake up and know my job is training and playing.

“That’s what I’d like to do.”

Leleisiuao left his family in Auckland in 2011 to live with an uncle in Melbourne.

It was then he started playing rugby league and a move to Logan with his family in 2013 saw him pursue a professional career following five years as a hip hop dancer.

“I went to the Hip Hop Internationals in Las Vegas for two years in a row,” he said.

“I just got sick of it. I wasn’t fully committing myself or getting anything out of it.

“I wasn’t doing anything so I thought I’d take up rugby league. I’d never taken interest in a full season.

“I’ve grown a love for fullback. My running game is better than my passing game.”

Under-20s players are required to work or study outside of football but Leleisiuao’s schedule is far more demanding than most.

He starts work at the Rocklea Markets in Brisbane at 3am then catches a train to Robina in the afternoon to train with the Titans.

“It sucks when you have training late and have to get up that early,” he said.

“I don’t take naps because if I do I’ll end up missing the train to get to training.

“Sometimes I’m late and it looks bad on me but Woolfy (coach Ben Woolf) is understanding (of my situation). He’s not too harsh on me.

“Sometimes I get home at 8.30 and get a maximum of four hours sleep then go to work.

“I’m hoping I can get a (contract) extension by the end of this year. I’d love to stay at this club.

“It’s nice and close to the family. I don’t want to move away to Sydney.”

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Titans under-20s but Woolf can see plenty of positive in Leleisiuao.

He averages eight tackle breaks a game, regularly runs more than 200m and if he can find more time to dedicate to football then his potential may be reached.

“He puts a bit into it with his work and training,” Woolf said.

“He’s a strong powerful runner of the ball who can beat his man. He’s a bit like Solomone Kata from the Warriors.

“He’s quite fast and good on his feet. He’s got high tackle breaks every game.

“He’s a kid that had enormous talent but nearly floated through unseen through different circumstances.

“He’s got a heap of ability. His natural ability is untapped.

“He’s a very raw talent at the moment that will take a bit of time.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Titans’ next big thing is a former hip hop dancer Greg Leleisiuao