Tonga’s Siosaia Vave comes home for test match week

Rugby league Test matches are coming to the western Sydney heartland this week, but for Tonga’s Siosaia Vave it is a chance to spend the week at home.

Siosaia Vave on a run for the Manly Sea Eagles against Newcastle Jets. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Rugby league Test matches are coming to the western Sydney heartland this week, but for Tonga’s Siosaia Vave it is a chance to spend the week at home.

Vave, who is in the squad to face Samoa on Saturday, reached the top after playing junior footy with Western Sydney Tigers in Mt Druitt, now his Test team is spending the week at Mt Druitt.

Despite playing for Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL, he still chooses to live in Shalvey near family.

“I own my own house out here and have a lot of family here,” he said.

The proud Westie has ordered 30 tickets for Saturday’s game.

Vave sees a never-ending stream of talented youngsters following in his footsteps from the region.

Manly's Siosaia Vave tackled by Rabbitoh's Thomas Burgess during round five of the NRL. Picture Gregg Porteous.

“Facilities are getting better at St Marys and Rooty Hill,” he said. “It’s opened up a chance for us to come back and give back to the west.

The big prop credits Jonny McKnight, a teacher while he was at St Clare Catholic College, Hassall Grove, for being an early mentor that kept him on the right path.

“I could have gone a different way, but he is a good mentor for me and keeps me in line,” Vave said.

“He took me under his wing and kept me out of trouble.”

Tonga will have an open training session and fan day at St Marys Leagues Club tomorrow (Thursday) at 3.30pm. They play Samoa at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday at 7.40pm.