Waratahs rising star Isaac Fonua creating waves in rugby with lessons learned in rowing

Most rugby guns come from rugby league but this Waratahs under 18s teen has been competing in a very different sport he believes has helped him become a better, tougher player.

Young rugby player Isaac Fonua. Picture: NSW Waratahs

Most rugby guns have a background in rugby league but this teenager has been competing in a very different sport he believe has helped him become a better player.

The big hits and jolts of rugby are in stark contrast to the controlled steadiness and balance of rowing but this Waratahs teen believes his game has improved thanks to his time in a schoolboy crew.

Athletic second rower Issac Fonua is part of a Waratahs Under 18s squad readying for game two of the annual series against the Queensland Reds at Concord this Saturday.

And while rugby is his current priority, Fonua has also tasted success in rowing as part of his school eight.

The soon to be 17-year-old from The Kings School Parramatta said time in a boat has taught him valuable lessons for rugby where he has been identified for future success.

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The Waratahs in their U16s match against the Queensland Reds in the 2023 Super Rugby competition. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I did the junior eight last year but rowing and rugby are clashing at the moment,’’ he said.

“I like rowing. It helps me with my endurance and work rate on the field in rugby.

“I learnt things in rowing about being mentally fit and I learnt that you can never give up as well.’’

Fonua’s goal is to make a professional career in the sport but also to inspire kids from Sydney’s west, where he grew up and lives, and show where it cam take them.

There is a great rivalry between the Reds and Waratahs across the age groups. Picture: Karen Watson

“I love meeting people and travelling and I love playing rugby,’’ said Fonua, who has played league, is on a comeback from an ankle injury and whose junior clubs included Wenty Leagues and the Blacktown Scorpions.

“There’s heaps of talent in the west and I’d like to inspire the kids there as well by showing them it can be done.’’

WARATAHS U18 SQUAD 2024

1 Nicholas Hill Barker College Maitland Junior Rugby Club. 2 Riley Osborn St Augustine’s College Newport Junior Rugby Club. 3 Edwin Langi Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club Drummoyne Junior Rugby Club, 4 Zion Poitaha Randwick Rugby Club Rockdale Junior Rugby Club, 5 Isaac Fonua The King’s School Blacktown Scorpions Junior Rugby Club, 6 Luca Cleverley Newington College Randwick Warriors Rugby Club, 7 Marshall Le Maitre ©Shore School Chatswood Junior Rugby Club, 8 Toby Brial The Scot’s College Wakatipu Rugby Club-NZ. 9 Angus Grover St Ignatius College, Riverview Lindfield Junior Rugby Club. 10 Harrison Dene Barker College Newport Junior Rugby Club, 11 Jay McKenzie The Scot’s College Easts Bays Junior Rugby Club, 12 Kahu Capper Waverley College Spotty Dogs Taranaki- NZ, 13 Tom Watts Sydney University Northern Barbarians Rugby Club, 14 Tom Hartman St Ignatius College, Riverview Mosman Junior Rugby Club, 15 Charlie Poynton Barker College Jindabyne Rugby Union Club, 16 Poni Ravubale Eastwood Rugby Club Parramatta Two Blues Rugby Club, 17 Hayden Lavercombe The King’s School Central Eastwood Rugby Football Club, 18 Lewis Wilson St Augustine’s College Newport Junior Rugby Club, 19 Charlie Ulcoq The Scot’s College Easts Bays Junior Rugby Club, 20 Justice Taumoepeau St Josephs College Oatley Rugby Club, 21 Sam Blank St Augustine’s College Manly Junior Rugby Union Club, 22 Matthew Gough St Josephs College Northern Barbarians Junior Rugby Club, 23 Tom Farr-Jones Randwick Rugby Club Randwick Warriors Rugby Club, 24 Keegan Daly Barker College Dural Rugby Club, 25 Henry Conick Shore School Manly Junior Rugby Union Club, Coaches: Michael Snowden, Angus Sinclair, Matthew Evrard

S & C:Angus Teece, Physio: Lachlan Stewart, Manager Andrew Cleverley