NRL Schoolboy Cup gun Sione Taufui in Junior Wallabies Oceania team

He’s the former NRL Schoolboy Cup gun from Fairfield defying sporting stereotypes to be one of rugby’s rising stars, a Junior Wallaby and a future criminologist.

New Junior Wallaby Sione Taufui wants to inspire kids from western Sydney to follow their sporting dream - even if it’s very different from their mates.

This former rugby league talent - who captained Patrician Brothers in the NRL Schoolboy Cup and played Harrod Matthews for the St George Dragons - is a rising star of rugby union, a position confirmed on June 18 when he was named in the Junior Wallabies 31-player squad to play an Oceania Rugby on the Gold Coast in July.

Also with the vaunted Sydney University club, 20-year-old Taufui said union always felt like it was a better fit for him despite rugby league’s popularity near his home.

Skipper Sione Taufui with the trophy after Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield beat Mt Ridley College in the final of the NRL Schoolboys Trophy in 2017.

“I went to Patrician Brothers at Fairfield and it’s all rugby league there but rugby union always felt like the right game for me,” said Taufui, who played his junior rugby with the Merrylands Wolves and Blacktown Scorpions.

“Dad is Tongan and he played at school. My whole family loves rugby.

“I wanted to be the person who represented our family in something we all loved. To be the best in the game.”

Taufui, who is carrying a wrist injury, made his Shute Shield debut with the Students first grade side in May.

“I want to do my family proud and making the Junior Wallabies would be an honour,” he said.

Sione Taufui comes form a rugby loving family. Pic: Supplied

“I never thought coming from western Sydney I’d really crack it in rugby.

“I want to do everyone proud. Not many guys not from private school get to make it to the top.

“I did experience that stigma, that’s it is just for private school guys but that has been changing. The club system is really good. Makes it fair.”

Taufui is studying Social Science and Criminology at Western Sydney Uni at Liverpool and believes the lessons learned will help him to be a better rugby player.

Fairfield rugby union player Sione Taufui is a player on the rise in the sport and made his Shute Shield debut last month. Pic: Supplied

“My brother (Raymond) has finished his degree. I want to help people. I wouldn’t mind working not behind the scenes doing something like profiling,” he said.

“I like how the mind operates and what makes people tick.

“It’s a skill I can bring across to rugby. It’s about knowing how people respond to leadership. “How people take the best out of your leadership. How to lead by actions.”

Congratulations to Sione Taufui, making his 1st Grade debut off the bench!#upthestudents 💛💙🎓 pic.twitter.com/vGcFCMtYm8

— Sydney University Football Club (@SUFC1863) April 10, 2021

JUNIOR WALLABIE SQUAD FOR OCEANIA TOURNAMENT 2021

Lachie Albert, Brumbies, Western District Lions, Siosifa Amone, Force, Associates, George Blake, Reds, Bond Uni, Wilson Blyth, Reds, Bond Uni, Hugh Bokenham, Waratahs, Sydney Uni, Dan Botha, Waratahs, Sydney Uni, Adrian Brown, Waratahs, Eastwood, Luke Callan, Force, Wanneroo, Josh Canham, Rebels, Harlequins, Nick Chan, Waratahs, Randwick, Ben Dowling, Waratahs, Randwick, Josh Flook, Reds, Brothers, Carter Gordon, Rebels, Wests Brisbane, Mac Grealy, Reds, University of Queensland, Tom Hooper, Brumbies, Tuggeranong Vikings, Alex Masibaka, Force, Associates, Hamish Moore, Waratahs, Easts, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Reds, Brothers, Zane Nonggorr Reds, Bond Uni, Dan O’Brien, Waratahs, Randwick, Reesjan Pasitoa, Brumbies, Western District Lions, Ben Pollack, Gordon,

Billy Pollard, Brumbies, Uni Norths Owls, Will Roach, University of Queensland, Sione Taufui, Waratahs, Sydney Uni, Kalani Thomas, Reds, University of Queensland, Zephaniah Tuinona, Brumbies, Queanbeyan Whites, Glen, Vaihu, Rebels, Wests Brisbane, Harry Vella, Reds, Brothers, Jordan Williams, AU7s, Parramatta, Teddy Wilson, Waratahs, Easts

WALLAROOS TO PLAY SAMOA WOMEN’S XVs IN TEST MATCHES

In other new the Wallaroos will take on Samoa in July.

The first Manusina Test will be played as part of a Test double-header between the wallabies and France at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.

The second match will be on July 22 at Leichhardt Oval with the tests vital preparation for next year’s moved Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The Test Series has been made possible by funding from PacificAus Sports – a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Pacific Step-up initiative.

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