Michael Stolberg’s amazing journey proves dreams can still come true
From writing to Wallabies great John Eales as a youngster on the Sunshine Coast to plying his trade in New Zealand and Japan, Michael Stolberg’s rugby journey is just a little different as Jim Tucker discovered.
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Michael Stolberg was so dismayed that John Eales should have a try disallowed against the All Blacks in 1997 that he had his mum write his childhood idol a letter.
That’s devotion from a five-year-old who had already learnt how to sing the national anthem by following on TV when the Wallabies sang it before Tests.
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The same kid would religiously turn up at Lighthouse Park after school to watch Eales and the Wallabies train in Caloundra when it was their long-term base before the 1999 World Cup triumph.
The Wallabies and then-coach Rod Macqueen always thought those open training sessions were doing their bit to inspire a new generation.
Stolberg is the upbeat proof.
The Bledisloe Cup — yes, Australia did hold it once upon a time — was often on display at that Caloundra field for young hands to touch for the same reason.
Young Stolberg did as the photo from mother Linda’s scrapbook shows.
One pulsing constant has sustained his long, unconventional route to the elite ranks.
His deep-seated love for the game has never subsided which is why Stolberg’s rise with Japan’s Sunwolves is one of the code’s feel-good stories of the season.
The club is on death row, already axed for next season, yet the best late-bloomer in Super Rugby is a contender for rookie of the year. At 27.
The 204cm lock gets to play at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night when the Sunwolves face the Crusaders in the 3.35pm game before the Queensland Reds-Bulls clash.
“We’re obviously disappointed not to be playing this in front of home fans in Tokyo (because of coronavirus precautions) but what Queenslander doesn’t love a chance to run on at Suncorp Stadium,” Stolberg said.
“It’s absolutely been a dream of mine to play Super Rugby, a bit surreal actually.
“There have been times where I have doubted myself on whether I’d crack this level but I’ve never given up on my dreams.”
Stolberg is one reason that reassures you that Super Rugby still has the heart it was built on in the 1990s.
The Caloundra High product finished school at Churchie before ripping into club life at Easts.
The 2013 grand final win was a high and he credits the Tigers’ mentality for feeding the right attitude for his climb to come.
“Winning with the Tigers and so many good mates is still one of my best experiences,” Stolberg said.
“No one at Tigerland takes things too seriously … it’s play very hard on the field and have a beer off it.
“That helped me not to let the down times distract me as time went on.”
He was looked at in the Reds Academy and made the move to Queanbeyan in 2014 to have a crack at the ACT Brumbies but both were ladders to nowhere.
He was working as a barista in Canberra when he realised he had to brew up a different formula.
He took the leap to Northland in New Zealand in 2014 for two seasons of toughening in the ITM Cup that became a springboard to his first contract in Japan with Kintetsu Liners.
“Playing in NZ was that first opportunity to be professional, live rugby and train for three months,” Stolberg said.
Packing beside Japan’s four-time World Cup lock Luke Thompson at Kintetsu was the best education he could have and he got lucky late last year as well.
“The club signed Will Genia and Quade Cooper and they make you look a better rugby player with their knowledge and the special way they see possibilities in a game,” Stolberg said.
He jumped at a chance with the Sunwolves and has been a 116kg standout in the league of nations outfit among journeymen, motivated cast-offs, veterans and Japanese players.
He was always “Stolly” at Easts but nickname-minded defence coach Nathan Grey has since introduced “Lettuce” to mixed reviews.
“I’ve been a Reds fan since as early as I can remember and now I’m all in with the Sunwolves, surreal like I said,” Stolberg said.
“It’s very sad that the Sunwolves will be no more after this season but, as players, we put that aside and try to play really good, attractive footy.”
For Stolberg and his teammates, it’s a big chance to put up a hand for next season’s contract in Japan’s Top League, Europe or another Super Rugby club.
And what did Eales do with the letter? The champion Wallabies lock wrote back to the five-year-old of course.
“Thank you. It’s not every day I get a painting and letter such as yours,” Eales wrote.
“Your mum tells me you like to play football in the backyard and always commentate as well.
“Rugby is a great game and I hope you continue to enjoy it in the future.
“Kind regards, John Eales.”
It’s cool connections like this over decades that restore your faith in how kids grow up to become the rugby players who should now inspire the next generation.
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